VII Radiation Physics & Protection Conference, 27-30 November 2004,Ismailia-Egypt EG0500347 The Reactivity of Plant, Murine and Human Genome to Electron Beam Irradiation L. Gavrilã*, D. Timus**, I. Radu*, D. Usurelu*, E. Manaila** *Bucharest University, Genetic Institute, Aleea Portocalilor 1-3, Tel.: +40-21-2127368; fax: +40-21-2248846, 060101-BUCHAREST, ROMANIA, email:
[email protected] **National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Electron Accelerators Laboratory, Str. Atomistilor 409, 077125-BUCHAREST-Magurele, ROMANIA, email:
[email protected] ABSTRACT A broad spectrum of chromosomal rearrangements is described in plants (Allium cepa), mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) and in humans (Homo sapiens sapiens), following “in vivo” and “in vitro” beta irradiation. Irradiations were performed at EAL**, using a 2.998 GHz traveling-wave electron accelerator. The primary effect of electron beam irradiation is chromosomal breakage followed up by a variety of chromosomal rearrangements i.e. chromosomal aberrations represented mainly by chromatid gaps, deletions, ring chromosomes, dicentrics, translocations, complex chromosomal interchanges, acentric fragments and double minutes (DM). The clastogenic effects were associated in some instances with cell sterilization (i.e. cell death). Key Words: Electron Beam Irradiation / Chromosomal Aberration / Clastogenic Effects INTRODUCTION The incidence and the severity of damages induced in genetic material by irradiation rise with increasing dose and are not recognized below a threshold dose (1-3). The study of the action of electron beam irradiation included different biological systems like plants, laboratory animals as well as in vivo culture of human cells. Such data bring precious information concerning the interaction of the immune processes and the repairing mechanisms of DNA lesions induced by the radiations.