Optimization of Radiation Protection Through Genomic Analyses

Optimization of Radiation Protection Through Genomic Analyses in the Analysis of Changes in Cells of the Hematopoietic System Before and During High Dose External Beam Radiotherapy

The long-term goal is to define "signatures" in the form of genomic changes through sequence analyses of genomic DNA using modern Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) methods, which

1. determine the radiation exposure of humans.
2. provide information about the exposure (dose).
3. determine the radiation quality.
4. predict the repair capacity and radiation resistance of an individual.

The planned research work will investigate structural changes in DNA caused by loosely ionizing and high-LET (Linear Energy Transfer) radiation as well as their attribution to double-strand break repair pathways, which will be analysed in parallel using modern microscopy methods. Our aim is to incorporate sequencing technologies into the spectrum of methods used in radiation research and radiation protection. It is important for us to consider the practical requirements of radiation protection and to extend our experimental approaches to cell types relevant to radiation protection. For this reason, we have now created a separate work program that will focus specifically on sequence analyses in irradiated human lymphocytes. The aim is to successfully transfer the experimental approaches and bioinformatic analyses established in previous experiments in human skin fibroblasts to lymphocytes. Subjects can donate blood samples on a voluntary basis at predetermined times. Only subjects without previous radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, etc. and without a previous tumor diagnosis in the medical history and in good performance status (ECOG 0-1) will be included.

Inclusion Criteria:

ECOG 0/1 no prior treatment no prior cancer diagnosis thoracic or head and neck cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

prior treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.) prior cancer diagnosis