The Experimental Irradiation Core specializes in moderate dose (0.1-4 Gy/min) and low dose irradiation (0.05-0.3 Gy/hr) of cell cultures, tissues and animals. The core has expertise in monitoring DNA damage using laser microirradiation.
The core features 3 orthovoltage units across 3 campus locations. The core provides metered isoflurane for animal anesthesia during irradiation. In addition, the core now features the SARRP (Small Animal Radiation Research Platform) which permits bioluminescence and CT-guided delivery of radiation to animals.
The specific goals of the Irradiation Core are to:
- Support studies in the radiation biology of moderate dose rate irradiation of cell cultures and small animals, such as mice, rats, and rabbits
- Permit the study of low dose rate irradiation in cell culture
- Provide irradiation services for investigators whose primary interests are not in radiation biology, but who need this tool in support of other efforts (for example, immunosuppression of animals prior to stem cell transplantation through total body irradiation)
- Facilitate study of the cellular responses to DNA damage utilizing laser microirradiation as a tool
- Provide state-of-the-art CT and bioluminescence imaging-based radiation delivery to animals
