Radiation quality and mechanisms of radiation risk

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This NSERC Discovery renewal grant will continue to support a major existing NSERC funded (Discovery and IRC) research program focused on understanding low dose radiation interaction with biological systems. Our research has developed sensitive biological model systems to study a wide range of biological processes influenced by low dose radiation exposure. We have designed, constructed, and are commissioning a single-ion biological microbeam (also called a microprobe) for studies of the physical interactions and microdosimetric effects of very low radiation doses on cells and living tissue. The microprobe can "shoot" a single or multiple charged particles (protons or alphas) generated by a particle accelerator into a precise location within a living cell. Charged particles have high linear energy transfer (LET) and when aimed at specific cells and targets within cells, allow the study of fundamental processes of DNA damage and repair, cancer and anti-cancer processes, as well as interactions/communications between damaged and non-damaged cells. Understanding these biological processes is important because charged particles occur naturally (and are man-made) and all living organisms are impacted by them. The development of the McMaster University biological microbeam will be one focus of this proposal with the specific aim of understanding the mechanisms responsible for genomic effects caused by low dose and low dose rate high LET radiation. The anticipated outcomes for this research will be a better understanding of radiation dosimetry and the cellular mechanisms influenced by different types of radiation quality and exposure levels. The research performed with the microbeam will provide education, training and experience for the next generation of experts in radiation detection and measurement, and radiation biology. This research will help provide useful evidence that can be used to improve radiation protection practices and support informed decision making by regulators and government.