Integrating chromosome conformation and DNA repair in a computational framework to assess cell radiosensitivity.

The arrangement of chromosomes in the cell nucleus has implications for cell radiosensitivity. The development of new tools to utilize Hi-C chromosome conformation data in nanoscale radiation track structure simulations allows forinvestigation of this phenomenon. We have developed a framework employing Hi-C-based cell nucleus models in Monte Carlo radiation simulations, in conjunction with mechanistic models of DNA repair, to predict not only the initial radiation-induced DNA damage, but also the repair outcomes resulting from this damage, allowing us to investigate the role chromosome conformation plays in the biological outcome of radiation exposure.

Dosimetric and biological impact of activity extravasation of radiopharmaceuticals in PET imaging.

Background: The increasing use of nuclear medicine and PET imaging has intensified scrutiny of radiotracer extravasation. To our knowledge, this topic is understudied but holds great potential for enhancing our understanding of extravasation in clinical PET imaging.

Purpose: This work aims to (1) quantify the absorbed doses from radiotracer extravasation in PET imaging, both locally at the site of extravasation and with the extravasation location as a source of exposure to bodily organs and (2) assess the biological ramifications within the injection site at the cellular level.