Heavy Ion Radiation Biology is an interdisciplinary applied science involving Atomic and Nuclear Physics, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. The current research in this field investigates the effects of accelerated charged particles on the biological systems at the molecular level. In that sense, the research field that is intended to be pursued at IUAC may be termed Molecular Radiation Biology.

The Radiation Biology research facility in terms of a dedicated beam line and a molecular biology laboratory is very much suitable for carrying out fundamental research in this field keeping up pace with the other laboratories in the world. Various experiments can be designed to study the molecular mechanisms leading to the radiation induced effects.

Various experiments may be planned by choosing suitable projectiles with appropriate energies to irradiate the samples of interest. The dedicated beam line for Heavy Ion Radiation Biology is designed for experiments using low flux of accelerated particles. The irradiation is done using a computer controlled system called ASPIRE. The support laboratory includes cell culture facility and other equipment for sample preparation and post irradiation treatments and analysis.

    


The obtained data may be used for :

• Modeling radiation effects

• Heavy Ion Cancer therapy

• Radiation protection in manned space flights

• Exploring different pathways to radiation induced effects