One goal for these types of models will be to develop predictive capabilities for the range and nature of biological responses expected in a given system following exposure to different doses of radiation. Biologically-based risk models are defined as mathematical constructs of the key events involved in the production of an adverse health effect, e.g., cancer, in response to radiation across a range of doses of interest. Such models are likely to describe both continuous and probabilistic variables that range from key molecular probabilities of inducing cell death, replication or specific gene expression to modifiers of responses at the tissue level or even at the level of the entire organism. Mathematical predictors or estimators of radiation risk can include both epidemiological and experimental information. Projects will involve research teams that include both laboratory-based scientists and scientists whose expertise is in the development or use of mathematical models.
Projects can range from active research-modeling efforts to more think tank type efforts.
Experimentalists and modelers are encouraged to interact in an iterative process of experimentation and modeling to generate and identify hypotheses, data and both experimental and modeling needs that then drive the next steps of both laboratory and modeling experiments. Modeling mechanisms of key radiation-induced biological responses. Mechanistic models can and should be developed for a range of biological responses that meet the Criteria for Selection of Biological Responses described below. It is expected that collaborations in this area will involve an iterative process of experimentation, modeling, experimentation, etc. Models of experimental data should be developed and used to make predictions about biological responses or effects that are then tested experimentally.