Our current efforts relate to development of a generic model that includes apoptosis and necrotic cell death. We are also investigating the impact of variability in the microdose on the risk for neoplastic transformation. The 11 specific aims of this project are too lengthy to report here. However, all relate to developing mechanism-based models for lung cancer induction by low doses of radiation and genotoxic chemicals. For radiation microdosimetry, we are currently using a novel biological microdosimetry approach where variability in biological response is used to derive variability in dose to the critical biological target.
Bayesian inference is used to generate the microdose distribution.
Our approach to biological microdosimetry for radiation does not require detailed information about the mass, volume, or shape of the critical biological target. Our approach to chemical microdosimetry is partly based on experimental studies carried out at our Institute and is focused on the respiratory tract and on genotoxic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The MCMC methods are also used in our biological microdosimetry. The Low Dose Radiation Research Program of the U.S. Department of Energy funds this Web site. Webmaster Please send comments and suggestions about the website to John Wassom .