Research project ST/02 (Research action ST)
THEME.
Theme of the network:
Optimisation, validation and application of cytogenetic techniques for evaluating the genetic impact on workers or populations exposed to workplace or accidental ionising radiation.
Theme of the secondary study:
Ascertaining the individual sensitivity to radiation of different lymphocyte populations in order to enhance the sensitivity of the micronucleus test.
OBJECTIVES:
Objectives of the network:
After optimising and validating cytogenetic techniques such as rapid and sensitive methods for detecting individual genetic damage, these techniques will be applied to:
- the systematic screening of workers exposed to radiation in the course of their work in the nuclear and medical sectors;
- detailed monitoring of damage in the event of exceptional or accidental exposure on the part of workers.
The developed methodology and the associated databank will be extremely useful in the event of the excessive exposure of individuals and populations to radiation, in terms of the rapid detection of radiation damage, the development of possible countermeasures and the evaluation of the risk of malignant consequences. The results of the completed research will lead to guidelines that will allow the risks associated with workplace exposure to radiation to be limited and evaluated more effectively.
ST/02/004:
Coordinated action to evaluate, using the latest cytogenetic techniques, the genetic impact on the peripheral lymphocytes of individuals and populations exposed to ionising radiation in the course of their work or accidentally.
Objectives of Prof. H. Thierens' personal contribution:
Individual evaluation of the risk of late malignant effects arising from the exposure to ionising radiation of workers in the nuclear and medical sectors. This evaluation will be based on sensitive and automated cytogenetic techniques.
ST/02/005
Optimisation of the centromere micronucleus detection technique in peripheral lymphocytes after irradiation.
Objectives of Prof. L. De Ridder's personal contribution:
The "classic" micronucleus test has been extended to include the in-situ hybridisation technique for detecting centromeres in order to enhance the sensitivity of the micronucleus test so that the damage induced by radiation from spontaneous genetic effects may be distinguished. This method allows the detection of radiation damage induced at low levels of exposure. It will also be improved in such a way as to allow it to be computerised.
The micronucleus test combined with centromere detection will considerably improve effectiveness, thus enabling the combined test to be used as a biological dosimeter for population groups at risk of workplace or medical exposure to ionising radiation.
Objectives of the secondary study:
There are grounds for supposing that different lymphocyte sub-populations present a different sensitivity to radiation. The identification of a sub-population with a more significant sensitivity to radiation would naturally represent an important advance for biological dosimetry and individual sensitivity to radiation. To this end, the lymphocyte population in the peripheral blood of patients will be evaluated before and after irradiation to determine the appearance and number of micronuclei.
ST/02/004 - ST/02/005:
Objectives of Prof. M. Kirsch-Volders' personal contribution:
Detection of centromeres in the micronuclei by means of fluorescent in-situ hybridisation. Application of the methodology for the detection of genetic radiation damage in the B and T lymphocytes of workers subjected to chronic exposure to ionising radiation in nuclear power plants.
Objectives of Prof. C. Laurent's personal contribution:
Development and application of multicolour chromosome painting to study stable chromosomal aberrations induced by exposure to ionising radiation. Application of the methodology to the detection of radiation damage in workers exposed to ionising radiation in the course of their work or by accidents at nuclear power plants.
Optimisation and application of "state-of-the-art" cytogenetic techniques for determining genetic damage in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals and populations occupationally or accidentally exposed to ionising radiation: executive summary
Brussels: OSTC, 1999 (SP0942)
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Optimalisatie en toepassing van cytogenetische "State of the Art" technieken voor de bepaling van de genetische schade in perifere bloedlymfocyten van individuen en populaties, beroepshalve of accidenteel blootgesteld aan ioniserende straling : eindrapport
Thierens, H. - De Ridder, L. - Vral, A. ... et al Brussel : DWTC, 2002 (SP1080)
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