School of Health Sciences - HSCI 690A: Molecular Radiobiology

Description

This course introduces the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular responses to ionizing radiation. Topics covered include basic concepts of cancer biology, radiation-induced gene expression patterns in normal and tumor cells, signal transduction networks responsible for radiation-induced cell death or survival, molecular targets for radiation protection and tumor radiosensitization, transcription factors, mitochondrial antioxidants and mitochondrial function in radiation response, DNA damage and mitochondrial apoptosis, specific proteins in tumor radioresistance and experimental design for molecular radiobiology. Examples and discussion related to current molecular signal transduction pathways initiated by exposure to ionizing radiation will be covered. The human health effects and molecular mechanisms relevant to environmental (low dose) radiation levels will also be discussed.

Prerequisites: HSCI 540, BIOL 110 and 111 (or BIOL 415), BCHM 693. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Course Objectives:

Develop an in-depth understanding of concepts and technology underlying the molecular mechanisms associated with radiation-induced responses in mammalian cells. Students will discuss their own research ideas on molecular pathways in cancer and radiation therapy, give an oral presentation, and practice writing research proposals.

Textbook

None. Selected readings from the literature will be used to supplement lecture notes.

Topics covered in the course include:

• Gene expression profiles in irradiated cancer and normal cells
• Transcription factors in radiation response
• Radiation induced genomic instability
• Radioresistant genes in radiotherapy
• Molecular mechanism underlying radiation induced bystander effects
• NF-κB signaling pathway and pro-survival network
• Protein traffics after radiation
• Cyclins in cell survival
• ATM and nuclear DNA damage
• p53 in radiation response
• Molecular pathways of DNA damage repair
• Mitochondrial antioxidant MnSOD
• Mitochondrial functions in radiation induced apoptosis
• Cancer biology and radiation induced carcinogenesis
• Low dose radiation induced adaptive response