The CONRAD approach to biokinetic modeling of DTPA decorporation therapy.

Diethylene Triamine Pentaacetic Acid (DTPA) is used for decorporation of plutonium because it is known to be able to enhance its urinary excretion for several days after treatment by forming stable Pu-DTPA complexes. The decorporation prevents accumulation in organs and results in a dosimetric benefit, which is difficult to quantify from bioassay data using existing models. The development of a biokinetic model describing the mechanisms of actinide decorporation by administration of DTPA was initiated as a task in the European COordinated Network on RAdiation Dosimetry (CONRAD).

Physiology-based modelling in radiation research: the biokinetics of plutonium.

For many years, the biokinetics of radioactive substances was calculated on the basis of mathematical criteria only. Biokinetic compartments in most cases did not correspond to anatomically defined distribution areas in an organism but were operational values. However, the quality of the resulting models depends on how accurately their assumptions reflect reality.

Photo-chemically patterned polymer surfaces for controlled PC-12 adhesion and neurite guidance.

The in vitro assembling of cellular networks offering control over cell positions and connectivities by patterned culture substrates is a valuable tool for neuroscience research and other applications in cell biology. We developed a versatile technique based on polymer surface modification which allows the patterning of different cell lines for advanced tissue engineering, among them are Pheochromocytoma cells (PC-12). In contrast to other techniques applied for surface patterning, the presented photo patterning by deep UV irradiation is applicable to the widely used cell culture substrate material polystyrene (PS) and should be easily performed in most laboratories.