Radiobiology Laboratory

The Radiobiology Laboratory has been conducting research activities since 2018. The section of Radiobiology and Materials Research is headed by Dr. Urszula Kaźmierczak.

Radiobiology is an interdisciplinary scientific discipline that integrates knowledge from biology, chemistry, physics, and medicine. Its primary objective is to investigate the biological effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms. The field focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms of DNA damage and repair, as well as downstream biological outcomes such as apoptosis, mutagenesis, and radiation-induced carcinogenesis.

Radiobiological investigations enhance our understanding of both the beneficial and detrimental consequences of radiation exposure. This body of knowledge is fundamental across multiple domains, including biomedical sciences, clinical practice, environmental health, and radiation-based industrial technologies.

Key Applications of Radiobiology

1. Radiotherapy – enhancing the efficacy of oncological treatment

Radiotherapy constitutes one of the cornerstone modalities in contemporary cancer treatment. Insights derived from radiobiological research enable the optimization of radiation dose parameters to maximize tumor cell eradication while minimizing cytotoxicity to adjacent normal tissues. Advanced radiotherapeutic techniques—such as proton beam therapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy—are direct outcomes of sustained research into the cellular and molecular effects of ionizing radiation.

2. Radiological protection in nuclear medicine and radiation-prone industries

Personnel operating within radiation-rich environments—including nuclear medicine, the nuclear energy sector, and aviation—must adhere to rigorous radiological safety standards. Radiobiological data underpin the development of evidence-based radioprotection protocols, allowing for the assessment and mitigation of stochastic and deterministic effects, the implementation of effective dosimetric surveillance, and the formulation of preventative strategies.

3. Assessment of radiation effects on human health and ecosystems

Ionizing radiation is not restricted to clinical and technological contexts but also occurs in the natural environment. Radiobiological studies contribute to the evaluation of cosmic radiation risks in aerospace missions, the biological and ecological consequences of nuclear incidents, and the health implications of chronic radon exposure in residential settings. These assessments inform public health policy, environmental safety regulations, and long-term radiological risk management frameworks.