Ionizing radiation of atomic bomb and chemicals such as anti-cancer drugs induce various types of DNA damage. The DNA damage is normally repaired by the corresponding DNA repair system; however, if an error occurs in the process of repair, the genetic information may be changed, causing various health effects such as leukemia and cancers. On the other hand, recent advances of microscope technology have revealed the very fine structures of the cell nucleus and the dynamics of various proteins in living cells. In addition, advances in image analysis technology have improved the efficiency of chromosomal image analysis drastically, making it possible to process far larger number of samples.
To study the relationship between DNA repair and higher order nuclear structure, we have applied the latest bio-imaging and biochemical technology. Besides, we aim to establish the next-generation radiology with the findings and technology obtained from these studies.
Chromosomal aberrations induced by irradiation (arrows)