USING CHARGED-PARTICLE MICROBEAMS TO STUDY MECHANISMS OF CARCINOGENESIS
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abstract
A major factor limiting experimental studies of the effects of high linear-energy-transfer (LET) radiations has been the random distribution of radiation tracks. Because of this random distribution and the large dose delivered to cells hit by a particle, only a very small fraction of the cells in a given tissue will actually be irradiated if the tissue receives a dose typical of those to which the general public or radiation workers are exposed. Particles from the tandem accelerator, collimated into a mubeam of approximately 5 m diameter are being used to overcome this limitation. Each particle will be counted as it passes through a thin plastic scintillator and a cell. The course of the charged-particle track through the cell is precisely controlled and the development of each cell can be followed to determine the consequences of that specific irradiation. Experiments now being developed will investigate the effects of the dose rate of alpha-particle irradiation on the malignant transformation of cells. This approach also offers opportunities for new insights into may other processes, including mutation, birth defects and altered cell function. 1989.