Biological dosimetry and radiation response

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Human Volunteer Study - Biological Dosimetry and Radiation Responses

  • IRAS ID

    162682

  • Contact name

    Christophe Badie

  • Contact email

    christophe.badie@phe.gov.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    UKHSA

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    9 years, 11 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    The purpose of the study is to measure radiation biomarkers in anonymised blood, saliva and buccal cell samples drawn from healthy volunteers. The study seeks to maintain and further develop high quality biological dosimetry services for radiation overexposure. Samples and isolated cells will be irradiated in vitro and used for calibration, quality assurance, and refinement of established assays as well as for the development and validation of emerging biodosimetric techniques which can potentially be used as triage tools in the event of a major radiation incident. All these tests determine qualitative and quantitative changes in cell survival, chromosomes, messenger RNA or proteins following irradiation of blood cells. Dose responses, the level of variation between different individuals and confounding effects of chemical exposure on these tests will be measured. The proposed participants are employees of Public Health England who work at the research site at Chilton, Didcot. As control blood samples will be required on a regular basis in order to comply with quality assurance requirements and rules set out in the relevant ISO Standards for biological dosimetry (eg, BS ISO 21243:2008), the proposed duration of the study is ten years.

  • REC name

    West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/WM/1182

  • Date of REC Opinion

    27 Oct 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion