Predicting the Effects of Low Dose-Rate Ionizing Radiation on Redox Potential in Plant Cells.

During exposure of cells to acute high dose-rate ionizing radiation (IR), oxidants from the radiolysis of water can overwhelm antioxidant systems. Protecting flora from the effects of IR released from a nuclear industry of increasing global significance and managing the growth of plants during space flight both necessitate estimating the effects of chronic low dose-rate exposure to IR. In contrast to effects at acute high-dose rates, under chronic low dose-rate exposure it is subtle, progressive, long-term effects on antioxidant systems that it is important to estimate. Here, we outline a method that combines biochemical measurement and mathematical modeling to predict the effects of chronic low dose-rate IR on redox potential in plant cells over time.