The Proton Therapy Project
Low energy proton beams, in the range of 60 to 235 MeV, are enourmously useful for treating cancer. Charged particle radiation has a number of physical and biological advantages over traditional radiation therapy including finite range, increased biological effectiveness and reduced entrance dose.
As part of the ongoing research and development efforts in the area of proton therapy, the Indiana University Integrated Science and Accelerator Technology Hall (ISAT Hall) designed and constructed the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI). This facility is located at the ISAT Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.
Beam Production Systems
The cyclotron system at ISAT Hall has been recommissioned as a dedicated accelerator for Life Science applications. The new design includes a doubly achromatic waist that is repeated at the entrance to each MPRI treatment room. This virtual source can be extracted by the radiation therapy technologist whenever treatment initiation is desired.
The same beam delivery system services the two Radiation Effects Research Stations (RERS) of the Radiation Effects Research Program (RERP). This arrangement allows research to continue without compromising the clinic operations.
Neutron Scattering
The Low Energy Neutron Source (LENS) produces cold neutron beams for fundamental and applied research using relatively low-energy (7-13 MeV) proton beams. It is being designed to emphasize the production of cold neutrons for scattering instruments that probe large-scale structures in condensed matter systems. Among the current research projects, those of relevance to the life sciences include structural studies of intrinsically disordered proteins, and investigations of the structure and dynamics of membranes.
Radiation Biology
The RERS supports a number of in-house and external biophysical research groups. These investigations include experiments in nucleic
acid and chromosomal damage and repair, macromolecular structure and function, cellular and tissue radiation biology, preclinical and
clinical investigations.
Radiation Effects Research Program
RERP supports investigations by internal and external users interested in Life Science, Radiation Biology, and testing electronic
devices and components for susceptibility to radiation effects. The RERS beamline construction was funded by a grant from NASA Johnson.
Life Sciences Programs at Indiana University
Indiana University has a long and distinguished history of research in radiation biology, molecular biology, genetics, and analytical chemistry, the foundations of modern advances in the life sciences. The university also has established world-class core facilities in genomics, imaging, proteomics, protein expression, animal models, medical informatics, and bioinformatics.
For contact information on Life Science Applications
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