Ionizing radiation exposure is harmful, and damages DNA, cells, tissues, and organs, increasing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and many other diseases. Unfortunately, over 23 million radiation workers are exposed to ionizing radiation at various levels due to their occupations. Similarly, millions of patients receive medical radioactive procedures such as CT scans, PET scans, angiograms, X-rays, PET scans, and fluoroscopy every year. Accidental radiation exposure (as in the case of atomic bomb victims) also substantially elevates the risk of hematological malignancies and other types of solid tumors.
Sophisticated mechanisms to repair damage caused by radiation and other harmful toxins exist in every human cell. The function, effectiveness, and efficiency of cellular defense and repair systems are controlled by many factors, especially by our genes. Many studies show that the variations within our genes have an important role in determining our risk level of cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and other diseases. However, very little is known about how the diversity in our genes affects our vulnerability to radiation-induced development of cancer and other diseases. This lack of understanding has limited the development of effective methods to prevent, mitigate, or treat damaging health effects caused by ionizing radiation.
In this study, we aim to better characterize the interactions between gene variations and disease development caused by occupational, medical, and accidental exposure to ionizing radiation. We will focus on examining how the diversity of our genes could determine our individual susceptibility to cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and other diseases that were caused by ionizing radiation. This research will include analysis of genomes, demographic, lifestyle, medical, and occupational profiles in relation to radiation exposure patterns. We will focus on the interactions of these factors and their impacts on our health. In addition, we aim to create new methods to accurately forecast the individual level of risk of developing cancer and other diseases due to ionizing radiation.
The findings from this research can help us better understand the mechanisms of ionizing radiation-induced development of cancer and other diseases. More importantly, the methods developed by this study may be particularly helpful for health risk assessment and mitigation, especially in radiation workers and high-risk individuals who carry gene variations that increase their vulnerability to radiation. As a result, this project could significantly improve the protection of millions of radiation workers and patients from damaging effects caused by ionizing radiation.