(EMSL31) Computer simulation of single-cell irradiation studies using the PNNL electron microbeam.
EMSL Project ID
2370
Abstract
Objective: This project will perform computer simulations related to single-cell irradiation studies using the PNNL electron microbeam facility in the EMSL. These calculations are needed both to enhance the design of the irradiator and to aid in the interpretation of experimental data. Approach: The basic computational tool is Monte Carlo simulation both for the probability that a cell absorbs energy from the microbeam and for the probability of detecting a response if energy is imparted to the cell. Energy absorption in single-cell irradiation studies will be modeled by the event-by-event detailed-histories track-structure simulator PITS. This code follows the slowing down in water of electrons with initial energies as large as 100,000 eV until they pass the threshold for electronic excitation of a water molecule (about 5 eV). The cellular responses of interests are those related to bystander effects in which cells that do not receive energy directly from the beam respond in a manner that is similar to the cell that was the target of microbeam irradiation. The code to model bystander responses is a Monte Carlo simulator of molecular transport from the targeted cell to other cells in the biological sample. The molecules of interests are peptides shed by the hit cell that activate receptors on neighboring cells. Both types of simulation require input data on cell morphology, which will be obtained by application of NWgrid to 3-D cellular images derived from confocal microscopy.
Project Details
Project type
Capability Research
Start Date
2001-11-08
End Date
2003-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members