Host: The Japan Radiation Research Society
Energetic heavy ions pose a great health risk to astronauts in extended ISS and future Lunar and Mars missions. High-LET heavy ions are particularly effective in causing various biological effects, including cell inactivation, genetic mutations, cataracts and cancer induction. Most of these biological endpoints are closely related to chromosomal damage, which can be utilized as a biomarker for radiation insults. Over the years, we have studied chromosomal damage in human fibroblast, epithelial, and lymphocyte cells exposed in vitro to energetic charged particles generated at several international accelerator facilities. We have also studied chromosome aberrations in astronaut's peripheral blood lymphocytes before and after space flight. Various fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques have been used to identify chromosome regions ranging from the telomere region to whole chromosome painting of all chromosomes simultaneously in one cell. We will summarize the results of the investigations, and discuss the unique radiation signatures and biomarkers for space radiation exposure.
