Molecular Characterization of the Role of SOD Genes in Mammalian Cellular Response to Low Dose Ionizing Radiation

Chaun-Yuan Li

Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC

Why this Project?

To evaluate the roles of the Superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes and changes in levels of oxidative stress on both adaptive responses and bystander effects.

Project Goals

Use RNA interference to down-regulate the expression of genes for SOD.
To determine the role of down-regulating these genes on the level of oxidative stress in the cells and on the response of cells to radiation.
To characterize changes in the level of oxidative stress in the response of normal cells to low doses of radiation.

Experimental Approach

This project will focus on using molecular techniques to alter the expression of SOD genes. The interaction between oxygen metabolism, SOD metabolism, and the production of oxidative stress will be evaluated on the response to low doses of ionizing radiation.