Mechanism and Modulation in Radiotoxicity

Dear Colleagues,

Radiotoxicity is biological damage caused by exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) including X-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, galactic cosmic radiation and solar energy particles, which are types of radiation that are encountered by cancer patients as well as astronauts during exploration missions. The extent of biological damage depends on several factors such as radiation type, dose, linear energy transfer (LET), tissue/cell type, and individual sensitivity. Radiotoxicity can occur via direct mechanisms, where IR directly interacts with and damages atoms and molecules in cells, or through indirect mechanisms, where IR interacts with water molecules in cells producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which then damage cellular components. The biological effects of radiotoxicity include DNA damage, potentially leading to cell death or mutations, protein damage, which can disrupt essential cellular processes, and membrane damage, which can impair cellular communication and homeostasis.

The primary objective of this Special Issue is to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying radiotoxicity and the factors that modulate its impact across different contexts. These contexts include but are not limited to medical imaging and radiation therapy, accidental radiation exposures, environmental radiation from natural or man-made sources, and prolonged spaceflight. The Special Issue aims to provide insights that can inform both the development of radioprotective strategies and the improvement of therapeutic interventions.

Topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Radiation exposure effects on tissue, cells, molecules as well as functional effects (behavioral) from natural/background or man-made/medical sources of radiation as well as spaceflight.
• Acute and long-term health effects.
• In vivo or in vitro models.
• The role(s) of biological factors including age, health status, and genetic predisposition/individual sensitivity.
• The role of dose, LET, and radiation type in the radiotoxic response.
• Methods of modulation including radioprotectors or countermeasures.

We welcome original research articles, review papers, and papers on theoretical and modeling approaches needed to advance the field. Technical papers on approaches needed to understand and/or facilitate mechanisms of radiotoxicity and modulations/countermeasures are also welcome. Through this Special Issue, we aim to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue that advances the field of radiotoxicity and informs future research and clinical practices.

Dr. Stephanie Puukila
Dr. Siddhita Mhatre
Dr. Janani Iyer
Guest Editors

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• radiation
• cellular damage
• dose
• tissue sensitivity
• countermeasures