Independent Scientist Award for Radiation Research

描述（由申请人提供）：辐射暴露可能发生在医学成像和治疗、宇宙射线或氡的自然背景辐射以及通过辐射生物恐怖主义的故意暴露。这个独立科学家奖将使我有机会专注于研究，通过利用基因工程小鼠来剖析辐射反应和损伤的机制。最终，这些信息将为改进癌症治疗、太空探索和新的辐射对策奠定基础。 这项独立科学家奖（K02）将支持Kirsch博士使用小鼠遗传学研究放射治疗的急性和晚期效应机制。这些体内研究将为设计安全有效的辐射对策提供一个机制基础，这些对策不会无意中增加辐射的迟发效应。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Radiation exposure can occur from medical imaging and therapy, natural background radiation from cosmic rays or radon, and intentional exposure through radiation bioterrorism. This Independent Scientist Award will give me the opportunity to focus on research to dissect mechanisms of radiation response and injury by utilizing genetically engineered mice. Ultimately, this information will lay the groundwork for improved cancer therapy, space exploration, and novel countermeasures against radiation. This Independent Scientist (K02) award will support Dr. Kirsch to use mouse genetics to study mechanisms of acute and late effects from radiation therapy. These in vivo studies will provide a mechanistic foundation for the design of safe and effective countermeasures against radiation that do not inadvertently increase late effects of radiation.