| A good understanding of basic radiation biology concepts and new information and research approaches is critical for understanding and applying radiation protection in medicine. In recent years there has been a plethora of new thoughts and data derived using “modern” molecular biology techniques that impact the application of biology knowledge to radiation protection approaches for patients and medical workers, particularly in the low dose and low dose rate arena. In addition to knowing “classic” concepts such as acute and delayed effects on irradiated normal tissues, sparing by low dose rates and radiation carcinogenesis, a medical and health physics practitioner should now be familiar with concepts such as bystander effects, genomic instability, DNA damage repair fundamentals, and genomics and proteomics. This lecture will provide an overview of important radiation biology fundamentals relevant to protecting patients and medical workers exposed to radiation, as well as an introduction to newer findings that could impact future approaches to protection. The lecture will complement the talks to be given in the NCRP Symposium on Radiation Protection in Medicine. |
