Abstract
The microbeam is expected internationally as a tool to advance the radiobiology research. There are two facilities prevent on the radiobiological studies outside Japan, i.e. proton and alpha-particle irradiation systems in Columbia University in USA, and alpha-particle and fluorescent X-ray systems in Gray Cancer Institute in UK. Some new overseas facilities in USA, Germany, France, Italy, and China are following them. In Japan, TIARA in JAERI Takasaki and PF in KEK has started some biological experiments, and SPICE in NIRS, Nagasaki University, Kyoto University, Wakasa-Wan Energy Research Center is now coming. We have different microbeam facilities having different quality of radiation, and it must be an advantage in Japan. We may possible to study new radiobiological researches with new biophysical points of view using those facilities by a combination of the different radiation qualities of the beams in Japan. In addition, to help and advance the studies using microbeams, the Research Association of Microbeam Biology in Japan also has established. Here, we summarize previous studies using microbeams in the world, and introduce all microbeam facilities in Japan together with in the other countries.
