Challenges in chronic low dose effects

Shared challenges in chronic low dose effects and risk assessment

The joint research activities conducted under this topic area improved knowledge in the field of low dose effects by strengthening pan-European links between the radioecology and the human low dose effect communities. The work conducted focused on epigenetics, and on their role in trans-generational effects.  

INNOVATIVE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES ON LOW DOSE EFFECTS WERE FOCUSED ON:

Picture copyright © JM Bonzom-IRSN

Epigenetics
Explaining the role of epigenetic factors in regulating transcription. DNA methylation will be the major epigenetic pathway studied.

Gene Expression 
Studied the effects of ionizing radiation on major biological functions (reproduction, DNA repair, immunological defense, neurology…), that may explain species sensitivity, heritable and adaptive effects.

THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH COMMUNITY WERE STRENGTHENED BY:

Picture copyright © JM Bonzom-IRSN

Organizing research 
In a collaborative way, consolidating efforts and standardizing the development of new methods.

Sharing 
research results with the low dose MELODI platform.

Promoting 
Recent advances and prospectives through workshops.

EXPERIMENTS WERE CONDUCTED:

Picture copyright © JM Bonzom-IRSN

Using different biological models 
Such as zebrafish, frogs, earthworms and plants (Arabidopsis) to compare species sensitivity.

In laboratory controlled conditions and in the field

Observatories 
Were set up in the Chernobyl exclusion zone (Ukraine) and in Fukushima impacted area (Japan) allowing long-term studies of trans-generational effects (genetic and epigenetic) to be implemented.

For more information on the work to be conducted contact Christelle Adam-Guillermin