Introduction to the RADIPER Program

Rapid Detection of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) agents through chemical or physical dosimetry is usually précised but not always available. In such circumstances rapid diagnosis with retrospective biological dosimetry can be crucial. Various methods of biodosimetry via the DNA and cytogenetic damage and their possible short and long term health effects on potentially exposed members of the population at risk are the main aims of proposed training course. As a result of violence, misfortune accident or any hostilities, inhabitants can be potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals or high doses of ionizing radiation that could cause direct clinical effects within days, weeks or years. Acute exposures to genotoxic agents can also result from natural environmental factors, non-specific contamination, the occupational environment, industrial discharges, and industrial accidents. A modern toxicology investigates a wide array of both old and new health hazards. Many methods are now available for monitoring humans and measuring genetic damage and other changes in macromolecules and body tissues. The RADIPER NATO advanced training course concentrate on the commonly measured biomarkers (chromosome aberrations; micronuclei; DNA damage), but others (p53 protein levels; metabolic genotypes) will also be addressed. Distinguished scientists from the fields of toxicology, molecular biology, cytogenetics and epidemiology will present and discuss the state-of-the-art knowledge and recent developments in biological dosimetry and monitoring of population at risk.

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