Another international-class research infrastructure is being built at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków. It is a Spectroscopic Imaging Laboratory for radiobiology, therapy and research on complex systems. The project is worth nearly PLN 12 million.
Krakow is becoming a hot spot on the scientific map of Europe. All thanks to the activities undertaken by the Institute of Nuclear Physics. Henryk Niewodniczański PAS in Krakow. After the huge success of the construction of the Bronowice Cyclotron Center, along with the proton therapy station used for the precise treatment of cancerous tumors, IFJ PAN undertook another large project co-financed by the Małopolska Regional Operational Program, Measure 5.1 Krakow Metropolitan Area as an important node of the European research area for the years 2007-2013. This time it is a modern laboratory in which research on the impact of ionizing radiation on living organisms will be carried out.
As confirmed by prof. dr hab. Wojciech M. Kwiatek from IFJ PAN, the laboratory is a world-class facility. – The purchased nanoIR2 system that allows to perform infrared research in conjunction with atomic force microscopy is the second device of this type in the world. Thanks to the unique system of two OPO (optical parametric oscillator) and QCL (Quantum Cascade Laser) lasers, it is possible to analyze objects on a nanometric scale with high spectral accuracy. The main advantage of the new Laboratory is the concentration of various equipment in one place, which allows conducting research using mutually complementary methods.
Ionizing radiation has been used for many years in diagnostic procedures and cancer therapy. Interestingly, not all patients respond equally to the same therapy. This is due to individual differences in the so-called radiosensitivity, which may be influenced by many factors: from gender, age, diet. This raises the question of how to properly adjust the therapy in order not only to help the patient, but also not to harm him, while minimizing the side effects of treatment as much as possible.
Among other things, this aspect of the impact of ionizing radiation on living tissue will be dealt with by the new Laboratory. With the help of state-of-the-art equipment, it will be possible to study how the structure of cells, their cytoskeleton and mechanical and biochemical properties change under the influence of radiation. The first studies on DNA strand damage due to ionizing radiation have already started. It will be possible to study the effects of other factors, such as drugs or the environment, on cells and tissues.
Modern equipment will allow for in-depth research on the use of radiation in the treatment of cancer and other pathological changes. What diseases are they talking about? – We are currently conducting research on atherosclerotic processes – explains prof. dr hab. Wojciech M. Kwiatek. – The subject of these tests are valve sections with a thickness of 5 micrometers. Analyzing them, we create maps in which we determine the distribution of lipids, cholesterol, mineral deposits and trace elements. These maps are correlated with the images obtained by histologists in a fluorescence microscope, which gives a more complete picture of the examined tissues and allows for understanding of the processes taking place.
We also study the mechanical properties of erythrocytes from the blood of diabetic patients.
The laboratory has already started its first works and soon we can expect the first test results of the Krakow center. – I hope that we will present the first results in December this year – says prof. dr hab. Wojciech M. Kwiatek.
Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences Henryka Niewodniczański in Krakow is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. A thriving center is gaining more and more scientific importance in the world. The application of physics in medicine is just one of the many areas of interest of the Institute, perfectly combining basic and interdisciplinary research.