Biomolecular Action of Ionizing Radiation

Offers an analysis of molecular responses in the body induced by ionizing radiation. This book presents a perspective on clinical applications for the treatment of cancer and radiation injuries. It also clarifies the underlying mechanisms of radiation effects on signal transduction pathways.

Introduction. Basic radiation physics and chemistry. Basic cell biology and molecular genetics. Methods of cell and molecular radiobiology. Ionizing radiation effects to the cytoplasm. Damage to DNA by ionizing radiation. Repair of radiation damage to DNA. Cellular response to DNA damage. Chromatin structure and radiation sensitivity. Radiation-induced chromosome damage. Modulation of radiation response via signal transduction pathways. Radiation-induced apoptosis. Early and late responding genes induced by ionizing radiation. Cell death, cell survival, and adaptation. Bystander effects and genomic instability. Tumor radiobiology. Radiation biology of nonmammalian species: three eukaryotes and a bacterium.References. Glossary. Index.