Course program, A.Y. 2015-16
| Lesson | Date | Topics | Linked slides and useful links |
| 1 | February 23rd, 2016 | Basics concepts of radiation damage. Mechanisms of energy release. Stopping power and LET. Radiolysis of water and radiolytical species. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). G values. |
|
| 2 | March 1st, 2016 | Radiosensitivity
of different animal cells; the radiosensitivity of
extremophiles. Broad classification of human cells. The main
parts of a human cells. The sizes of biological objects from
molecules to the largest cells. Basic information on the
structure of DNA. |
|
| 3 | March 3rd, 2016 | The molecular
structure of DNA. DNA replication. Coding and non-coding DNA.
The genetic code. The meaning of the code: protein synthesis.
The shape of proteins. Ribosomes. Radiation damage to the constituents of cells. Direct and indirect damage. The role of ROS; endogenous and exogenous ROS-related damage. The first line of defense: superoxide dismutase, catalase, etc. The second line of defense: DNA repair mechanisms. Cell death in case of unrepaired damage. |
|
| 4 | March 8th, 2016 | Mutations. Gene
modifications linked to cancer; oncogens, tumor-suppressor
genes, repair genes. The hallmarks of cancer. The tumor
microenvironment. Mathematical models of carcinogenesis. A
simple model of colorectal cancer. Peto's paradox. |
|
| 5 | March 10th, 2016 | Cell death and
cell survival curves. Biological endpoints. The linear-quadratic
(LQ) model. Target theory. Multitarget model. Conditions that
influence the shape of the cell survival curve: RBE, OER, etc.
Dose-response curves. Low-level radiation and radioprotection
issues. |
|
| 6 | March 14th, 2016 | Use of the LQ
model in radiotherapy. Tumor control probability. Normal tissue
complication probability. Fractionation. The Biologically
Effective Dose (BED) and its modifications. Simple examples of
treatment schedules. Isoeffect and equivalent dose at 2 Gy.
Radiosensitizers. The 4 R's of radiotherapy (... 5 R's). |