The general goal of the course is the study of the mechanisms of interaction between radiation and matter and between radiation and biological structures (at a molecular, cellular and whole organism level). The students will learn to analyze the processes deterrmining the radio-induced damage to DNA, chromosome aberrations, mutations, cell inactivation, somatic acute and late effects. They will learn about the effects of dose fractionation and tissue oxygenation, and the concept of RBE. They will learn the baasic knowledge on radiation applications o medicine and they will be given the specific example of RBE optimization in hadrontherapy.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of biology (DNA, chromosomes ...) and of physics, mainly on the radiation-matter interaction and the related physical quantities (dose, LET ...)
Teaching Methods
Lectures with slides and other materials
Assessment Methods
Written exam with quiz and open questions
Texts
Slides and other materials provided to the students
Contents
- The phases of radiobiological damage formation (physical phase, formation of free radicals, chemical stage ...) - Effects of radiation at a molecular and subcellular level; DNA damage and classification (base damage, ssb, dsb, complex lesions); dependence on radiation quality and on scavenger concentration - Main types of chromosome aberrations and their evolution at cellular level - Experimental methods and models for cell survival - Effects of dose fractionation and tissue oxygenation - Concept of RBE and its dependencies on several physical and biological factors - Radiation effects at the whole body level - Acute and late effects of radiation and theys dependence on dose - Application of radiation in medicine, both in diagnostics and in therapy - Hadrontherapy and RBE optimization in clinical treatments.
Course Language
Italian
More information
* professor email: setareh.fatemi@unipv.it * meetings with the students: to be arranged with the professor by email
