Molecular Radiobiology
Introduction from the Director
Research in the Division of Molecular Radiobiology focuses on defining the mechanisms underlying cellular responses to radiation. Research areas include basic radiobiology and signal transduction (i.e., how information is transmitted from one part of the cell to another or between cells), which influence transcription, cell cycle regulation, DNA repair and ultimately determine whether the cell is going to live or die in response to radiation. The Division's research includes studies on both normal and tumor tissues with the ultimate goal of enhancing the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy and mitigating normal tissue damage. Fundamental questioning of how cells sense oxidative events whether initiated by radiation or normal metabolism and how cells use different oxidative and nitrosative dependent signal pathways is a major component of these studies. With the recruitment of two new faculty members our research is expanding into new areas of proteomics, siRNA signaling and the role of extracellular matrix signaling in DNA repair and chromosomal instability. The application of these findings to the clinic is of increasing importance with collaborative studies between investigators in Molecular Radiobiology and the Clinical Division of the Department in the areas of prostate, head and neck cancer and growth factor receptor signaling responses to radiation and in late normal tissue damage as well as collaborative efforts with other Departments in breast and brain cancer. Our work is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, private research foundations and through industry support.
For training future young investigators the Division faculty offers an annual one semester graduate course in radiobiology and mentorship of undergraduate and pre-doctoral students, post-doctoral trainees, and radiation oncology residents in modern radiobiology research. A newly awarded National Institutes of Health T32 training grant in Translational Research in Radiation Oncology supports both post-doctoral and pre-doctoral students. Faculty mentors on this grant include research and clinical faculty from the Department as well as faculty from the Departments of Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology. Division faculty members have affiliated appointments in several of the basic science departments. Graduate students are recruited from each of these departments for training in molecular radiobiology.
In May 2006, the Division moved into brand new research space located in the Goodwin Research Laboratory of the Massey Cancer Center. In keeping with our research goals, an immunohistopathology laboratory including a high throughput image analysis system for analysis of animal and human tissue samples and a proteomics laboratory with a LC/MS system for protein sequencing and RT-PCR for RNA analyses have been established. This combination of state-of-the-art technology with fresh, innovative ideas represents the primary goal of the Division into its two missions of research and teaching.
Ross B. Mikkelsen, PhD
Professor and Division Chair
