Susan B. Klein
Research Scientist
Biomedical & Life Sciences
B.S., Sonoma State University, 1980.
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1986.
Postdoctoral Positions: University of Michigan Institute for Science and Technology.
University of Michigan School of Medicine.
ISAT Hall 172 (812)856-4405
Email: Click Here
Life cannot exist without radiation; it is modified by radiation, and it is manipulated by radiation. The Indiana University Integrated Science and Accelerator Technology Hall (ISAT Hall) offers unique opportunities to use electromagnetic and particle radiations to image, affect and treat living organisms. As a biophysicist, my research interests tend to be diverse, but are consistent in their use of ionizing radiation.
Proton therapy has the ability to treat cancer and certain benign disease with greater effectiveness and reduced risk because charged particle radiation exhibits physical traits that are unique to this modality. Particles have a finite and predictable range in matter and release most of their energy within millimeters of their stopping distance. We have designed and built a proton therapy system (PTS) to be used at the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute. My research includes the development of technological advancements of this modality including biological effect treatment planning and pulsed beam delivery.
In collaboration with Dr. Miriam Zolan in the Department of Biology, I am examining mutants of an edible mushroom, Coprinus cinereus, which are defective in radiation insult recovery. The genome of this species is closely conserved when compared to the human genome and analysis of the genes responsible for repair in Coprinus indicates human homologues with analogous functions. Identification of these genes will lead to individualized therapies and preventive measures as well as establish universal repair motifs.
Beyond the Earth’s protective magnetosphere, space travelers are exposed to continuous cosmic radiation as well as stochastic proton bursts resulting from solar storm events. During flight and extravehicular activities astronauts are exposed to unsafe levels of ionizing radiation. This is complicated by low gravity physiology. Low gravity causes bone density loss, reduced immunological proficiency, anemia and microbial infestation. Because this set of symptoms overlaps the set of radiation sickness symptoms, it is likely that the assessment of risk is more complicated for space flight than for earthbound conditions. We are investigating the combined effects of simulated low gravity and various forms of ionizing radiation in order to produce an accurate assessment mechanism for extraterrestrial travel.
Selected Publications
- Klein, S. B. Status of the Proton Therapy Project at ISAT Hall and the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute. Cyclotrons and Their Applications, 680:1081 (2003).
- Ciulla T. A., Danis R. P., Klein S. B., Malinovsky V. E., Soni P. S., Pratt L. M., Pugh N. O., Morphis J. G., Bloch C., Cameron J. Proton therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration: a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 134:905-6 (2002).
- M. A. Miller, S. B. Klein, K. A. Slack, P. I. Rogers, J. L. Solomon, A. P. Mendel, D. Hou, S. C. A. M. Bekkers and K. L. March. Fast Organ-Motion Gated Dose Delivery to the Myocardium, Particles, 28: 2001.
- Dunham, W.R., Sands, R.H., Klein, S.B., Duell, E.A., Rhodes, L.M., Marcelo, C.L. EPR measurements showing that plasma membrane viscosity can vary from 30 to 100 cP in human epidermal cell strains. Spectrochimica Acta, Part A, 52:1357 1368 (1996).
- Blatt, L.M., Davis, J.M., Klein, S.B., Taylor, M.W. The biologic activity and molecular characterization of a novel synthetic interferon alpha species, consensus interferon. J. Interferon and Cytokine Res., 16:489 499 (1996).
- Zhang, J F., Hu, C., Geng, Y., Selm, J., Klein, S.B., Orazi, A., Taylor, M.W. Treatment of a human breast cancer xenograft with an adenovirus vector containing an interferon gene results in rapid regression due to viral oncolysis and gene therapy. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 93:4513 4518 (1996).
- Klein, S.B., Fisher, G.J., Jensen, T.C., Mendelsohn, J., Voorhees, J.J., Elder, J.T. Regulation of TGF a expression in human keratinocytes: PKC dependent and independent pathways, J. Cell. Phys., 151:326 336 (1992).
- Klein, S.B. SEM and x ray microanalysis of cellular differentiation in sea urchin embryos: a frozen hydrated study, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of California, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Publication, LBL 21128 (1985).
