Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Genetics of Individual Variation in Response to Radiation Exposure

Vivian G. Cheung, M.D.
vcheung@mail.med.upenn.edu

Project Description

This project will examine the mechanisms of cellular response to different doses of radiation with the novel use of expression levels of genes in irradiated cells as phenotypes. Radiation exposure from diagnostic and therapeutic purposes carries risks and prediction of this risk can be improved by taking into account the different biological effects of low and high dose radiation and individual variation in radiosensitivity. The ultimate goal is to identify genetic variants that influence radiosensitivity. The molecular and genetic basis of individual response to radiation exposure will allow a foundation for development of a personalized approach to risk prediction.