Radiation exposure facilities for radiobiology in Europe: availability, capabilities, and limitations

Unterleiter T, Shariff M, Rückert M, Winterling L, Ruspeckhofer L, Weissmann T, Putz F, Fietkau R, Bert C, Gaipl U, Deloch L (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Radiation and Environmental Biophysics Springer Verlag (Germany)

DOI: 10.1007/s00411-025-01173-9

Abstract

Experimental radiobiology studies rely on exposure platforms that replicate real-world scenarios, yet information on their availability and biological suitability is often fragmented. We thus aimed to map capabilities, access routes, and limitations of European irradiation facilities, with a focus on Germany and briefly contextualized it with selected platforms in the United States of America (U.S.). Single-source systems (X-ray, gamma, alpha/beta) are widely available for cell/animal work, but mixed-beam platforms with controlled conditions and traceable dosimetry are scarce and oversubscribed while alpha/radon analogue setups vary in geometry and atmosphere control, hindering comparability. Large user facilities (reactors, cyclotrons, space-simulation) offer powerful modalities but often lack clearly documented biological access procedures. Here, the selected U.S. facilities provide more explicit user pathways (proposal, fee-for-service, programmatic access). Priorities for Europe should thus include standardized, incubator-compatible mixed-beam systems; a more harmonized reporting of dosimetry/environmental parameters; and a better visibility of biological access in infrastructure catalogues. Ongoing coordination initiatives can underpin these improvements, strengthening reproducibility and access.

Authors with CRIS profile

Tom Unterleiter Department of Radiation Oncology Maya Shariff Department of Radiation Oncology Michael Rückert Department of Radiation Oncology Lena Winterling Department of Radiation Oncology Laura Ruspeckhofer Department of Radiation Oncology Thomas Weissmann Department of Radiation Oncology Florian Putz Department of Radiation Oncology Rainer Fietkau Lehrstuhl für Strahlentherapie Christoph Bert Professur für Med. Strahlenphysik Udo Gaipl Department of Radiation Oncology Lisa Deloch Department of Radiation Oncology

How to cite

APA:

Unterleiter, T., Shariff, M., Rückert, M., Winterling, L., Ruspeckhofer, L., Weissmann, T.,... Deloch, L. (2025). Radiation exposure facilities for radiobiology in Europe: availability, capabilities, and limitations. Radiation and Environmental Biophysics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-025-01173-9

MLA:

Unterleiter, Tom, et al. "Radiation exposure facilities for radiobiology in Europe: availability, capabilities, and limitations." Radiation and Environmental Biophysics (2025).

BibTeX: Download