Radiation Biology

The laboratory conducts research on biological effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

The research of the laboratory focuses on the effects and the underlying mechanisms of radiation on molecular, cellular and tissue level. The goal is to understand the biological process of radiation-induced effects that may eventually give rise to health effects. A variety of methodology is explored encompassing molecular biology, classical and molecular cytogenetics, molecular epidemiology, genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. Both in vitro and in vivo exposed cells and tissues are investigated.

	The Laboratory performs biological dose assessment by cytogenetics as a service in cases of exposure to ionizing radiation (accredited by FINAS - Finnish Centre for Metrology and Accreditation). The Head of Laboratory is Virpi Launonen.
Virpi Launonen, Head of Laboratory, PhD

Areas of research

The areas of research aim to respond to the national and international requirements.

Ionizing radiation

• Low dose risk
• Non-targeted effects including bystander effect and genomic instability
• Individual sensitivity
• Biological dosimetry for reconstruction of radiation dose in humans

Mobile phone radiation

• Biophysical and biochemical mechanisms
• Effects on gene and protein expression
• Function of blood-brain barrier

Long-wave ultraviolet radiation

• Effects on gene and protein expression
• Melanoma metastases

/ Research

• Department
• Units
  • Non-Ionizing Radiation
  • Radionuclide Analytics
  • Regional Laboratory in Northern Finland
  • Radiation Biology
  • Radiation Practises Regulation
  • Health Risks and Radon Safety
  • Security Technology
  • Environmental Research
  • Environmental Surveillance and Preparedness
• Facilities
• Equipment
• Current research projects
• Reviews and evaluations
• Calculation programs