GammabeamX200 Preclinical Research Irradiator

描述（由申请人提供）：电离辐射的巨大潜力中只有一小部分在分子和遗传水平上得到了描述和理解，我们的大部分理解尚未在现代医学中得到利用。我们建议购买一种新的临床前辐照器，以满足多个同行评审资助用户的需求，其中包括11名NIH资助的研究人员，他们正在开创电离辐射的新认识和新应用。这个社区在过去的十年里在纽约大学医学院（NYU）发展起来。自2000年放射肿瘤学系成立以来，人们普遍认识到放射作为研究和治疗工具的多维用途。该部门与现有的纽约大学科学家合作，并招募了一批杰出的新研究人员，他们站在了解电离辐射作用于正常和癌症组织的分子和遗传机制的最前沿，并影响正常和癌症组织微环境。在分子水平上，该学院的主要研究领域将受益于并依赖于新的辐照器，包括DNA修复，mRNA转录，mRNA稳定性，mRNA翻译和蛋白质稳定性的电离辐射改变。除了更经典的放射生物学研究外，纽约大学还探索了放射治疗的非常规用途，例如其诱导“危险信号”以影响免疫系统的能力。在详细的细胞因子和免疫细胞水平的原始研究，重点是其应用，以刺激抗肿瘤免疫反应，已率先。目前，来自12个不同部门的14个不同的研究小组正在进行电离辐射的临床前，转化和基础研究。 2000年指定用于动物工作的实验性Co60装置最近已停止使用，因为无法修复操作系统。为了保持NIH资助的研究项目和其他联邦资助项目的连续性，已分配一台临床直线加速器Varian Clinac 2100MV（也用于患者）用于下班后使用。不幸的是，这使研究工作只能在晚上和深夜进行，导致行政和加班业务费用增加。此外，由于设备的技术规格，不可能使用Clinac进行低剂量和长持续时间研究。一个新的实验辐照器将确保更高的生产力，并鼓励研究人员对电离辐射的影响和应用进行假设驱动的研究。要求在拆除当前停用的机器后，将Theratronics Gammabeam X200（GBX200）Co60研究辐照器安装在我们当前的实验室中。新设备对于维持正在进行的辐射研究计划至关重要。NYU SoM准备汇集非凡的研究和临床广度和专业知识，成为辐射生物学医学研究的先驱。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Only a fraction of the enormous potential of ionizing radiation has been described and understood at molecular and genetic levels, and much of our understanding has not yet been harnessed in modern medicine. We are proposing to acquire a new preclinical irradiator to fulfill the need of multiple peer-reviewed funded users, including eleven NIH-funded investigators who are pioneering a new understanding and new applications for ionizing radiation. This community has developed over the past decade at New York University School of Medicine (NYU). Since the establishment of the Department of Radiation Oncology in 2000, a widespread recognition of the multi-dimensional uses of radiation as a tool for research and treatment has occurred. The department has developed collaborations with existing NYU scientists and recruited an outstanding group of new investigators who are at the forefront of understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms by which ionizing radiation acts on normal and cancer tissues, and affects the normal and cancer tissue micro-environment. At the molecular level, major research areas of the faculty that would benefit and depend on a new irradiator include ionizing radiation alteration of DNA repair, mRNA transcription, mRNA stability, mRNA translation, and protein stability. In addition to more classical radiobiology research, NYU has explored less conventional uses of radiotherapy, such as its capacity to induce "danger signals" to influence the immune system. Original research at the detailed cytokine and immune cell level, with a focus on its applications to stimulate anti-tumor immunological responses, has been pioneered. Currently fourteen distinct teams of investigators from twelve distinct departments are conducting preclinical, translational and basic research on ionizing radiation. The experimental Co60 unit designated in 2000 for animal work has been recently de-commissioned because it is impossible to repair the operating system. To sustain the continuity of NIH-funded research projects and other federally funded projects, a clinical linear accelerator, a Varian Clinac 2100MV (which is also used for patients) has been assigned for after-hours use. Unfortunately, this relegates research studies to evening and late night hours, resulting in increased administrative and overtime operational costs. Moreover, it is not possible to conduct low dose and long duration studies with the Clinac, because of the technical specifications of the equipment. A new experimental irradiator will assure greater productivity and encourage investigators to pursue hypothesis-driven research on the effects and applications of ionizing radiation. A Theratronics Gammabeam X200 (GBX200) Co60 research irradiator is requested, to be installed in our current experimental vault, after removal of the current out-of service machine. The new equipment is essential for maintaining ongoing radiation research programs. NYU SoM is poised to marshal extraordinary research and clinical breadth and expertise to become a pioneering world leader in radiation biology medical research.