RAPID GENE EXPRESSION BASED DOSE ESTIMATION FOR RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES.

Gene expression (GE) assays have shown great potential for rapid individual radiation dose exposure assessment. The aim of the present study was to optimise GE-based biological dosimetry protocols for radiological emergencies. Experiments were carried out to validate a newly developed protocol (P2) where several steps were optimised and to compare it with the current validated protocol in place in our laboratory (P1). Several donor blood samples from were exposed ex vivo to of the following doses: 0, 0.5, 1, 2 Gy X-rays. Concomitant measurement of transcription level of genes FDXR, P21, PHPT1, CCNG1 and SESN1 plus HPRT (control) was performed. To summarise, both protocols provided similar dose estimates, P1 being completed in 7 hours while P2 in merely 4 hours. Thus, a significant time shortening was achieved leading to a potential increase of throughput capacity. Hence, this new protocol can be recommended for mass radiation casualties triage purposes.
(© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press.)