Effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on skin cells
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Basic translational research into the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on skin cells
IRAS ID
318321
Contact name
Lourdes Cruz Garcia
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UK Health Security Agency
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
We wish to use cells from infant foreskin in two projects about cancer and cardiovascular disease research and biological dosimetry. The results will inform us on the level of risks of radiation and allow us to design and provide accurate scientific and health advice to the government and the public.
Project 1
The purpose of the project is to examine the cellular transcriptional radiation response in human skin biopsies after x-ray irradiation with the aim to assess its potential for biological dosimetry purposes. We aim to investigate the use of skin punch biopsies for gene expression biodosimetry assays. We will obtain human skin samples from healthy donors to generate a skin X-ray radiation exposure transcriptional signature using third sequencing generation nanopore sequencing technology. Moreover, we will generate a transcriptional time course and a dose response after X-ray exposure for identified radiation-responsive genes using MQRT-PCR and nCounter.
Project 2
The adverse health effect (melanoma) resulting from over-exposure to the sun forms the basis of current public health advice, which advocates close to total sun-avoidance. However, an increasing number of emerging reports suggest that sunlight induces hitherto unappreciated health benefits beyond vitamin D synthesis, that could not only reduce blood pressure but suppress weight gain from consumption of high-fat diets and prevent a range of metabolic disorders for example Diabetes. One of the underlying mechanisms is thought to be light-induced production of nitric oxide, which we have characterised to be readily triggered in skin cells by ultraviolet A from the breakdown of nitrite. Our goal here is to ascertain the duration of nitric oxide production from Skin cells over time, after exposure to low-dose sunlight, and evaluate this against DNA-damaging effects.REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0411
Date of REC Opinion
15 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion