1 Radiation Biology Course for High School StudentsManuela Buonanno, Ph.D. Associate Research Scientist, Columbia University, New York
2 Do you know that radiation is in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink? Ionizing radiation in particular is a double-edged sword that it is used to cure cancer but can also cause cancer: How could that be? Radiation: Friend and Foe is an interdisciplinary course that encompass physics, chemistry, and biology. Starting from the physics of radiation absorption, you will learn how radiation interacts with DNA, cells, tissues and organs. We will discuss some of the clinical applications of radiation, such as cancer radiotherapy and why radiation is a threat for the health of astronauts in Space. With hands-on activities, you will learn to evaluate the environmental and human health risks of exposure to radiation due to accidents, nuclear disasters, or terrorism Course Description
3 Sample Syllabus Based on the bookRadiobiology for the Radiologist by Eric J. Hall and Amato J. Giaccia, 7th Edition
4 Physics and chemistry of radiation absorptionRadiation Biology ‘’Targeted’’ vs. ’’non-targeted’’ effects of ionizing radiation Radiation Carcinogenesis Clinical applications of ionizing radiation: Radiotherapy Clinical application of ionizing radiation: Diagnostic/imaging Radiation accidents: What we have learned Space radiation Non-ionizing radiation
5 Lesson Plan Power point presentations Educational videosActivity / Discussion / Assessment Quiz Case Study Flipped classroom (describe the slide) Case study At the end of each class discuss potential career paths
6 Start with a Radiation Knowledge SurveyMisconceptions Perception
7 Sample Lesson Topics
8 Physics and chemistry of radiation absorptionTopic Electromagnetic spectrum Radiation absorption Types and sources of ionizing radiation Interaction of radiation with biological samples Track structure Learning objectives Classify types of radiation Ionizing vs non ionizing Radiation sources Units of measure Modes of exposure Direct and indirect action of radiation
9 NASA - Space faring - The radiation challengeActivities NASA - Space faring - The radiation challenge Ionizing vs non ionizing (page 10) Calculate individual dose (page 19-20)
10 Radiation Biology Topic DNA: The critical target Repair Dose responsesLearning objectives: Types of radiation-induced DNA damage DNA repair Factors influencing radiosensitivity
11 Activities Analyze radiation-induced chromosomal aberrationsSelect several images of metaphase spread and ask to identify the chromosomal aberration Survival curve Prepare Petri dishes with colonies of cells exposed to different doses of high or low LET radiation. (If real colonies are not available, simulate colonies as big dots with Sharpies) Count the colonies Make survival curves Compare survival curve of low vs high LET radiation exposure Video ‘’How radiation is measured’’ (2:17) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODu4nL79Xtk&index=5&list=PL2F ECC3E7 Video ’’The health effects of radiation’’ (7:16) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq6FDyFeCN0
12 Non-targeted effects of ionizing radiationTopic Genomic instability Bystander effects Adaptive response Intro to hormesis Learning objectives DNA is NOT a prerequisite for cell damage Genetic effects produced by cytoplasmic irradiation Intro to particle accelerators
13 Activities Ping pong video on particle accelerators (1:34)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKxzXAQJvB8 How particle accelerators work (6:09) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEc7r3rjNlk Hormesis Therapeutic Radiation
14 Radiation CarcinogenesisLearning objectives Radiation effects in cells vs tissue Deterministic vs stochastic effects Biological effects of the nuclear bomb The multistep nature of cancer Topic Mutations Heritable effects The multistep nature of cancer Invasion and metastasis
15 Activities Radiation Facts or Fiction (also see slides 16 and 17)Risk comparison (slide 18) DNA (4:26 and 5:23) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_b80fHmuWw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwibgNGe4aY Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (1:18) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoWRZbtqB_s Cancer and metastasis (4:39) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LhQllh46yI
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17 What these superheroes have in common?What thoughts or events do you think led to the development of these characters? Scientific discoveries Protest All caused by accidents 1st part of the 20th century Connection between radiation and evolution. Everyman figures who are suddenly raised above all others. The Incredible Hulk is a nuclear take-off on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Accidents at the Manhattan Project Japan Godzilla vs American heroes Fading when atomic era ended Misconceptions
18 Risk Comparison Fatal risk of 1:1000000 (10-6)40 tablespoons of peanut butter 100 charcoal broiled steaks 2 days in New York City 1.5 cigarettes 1 mSv of radiation (typical of head CT scans) 300 miles in a car 1000 miles in a jet Adapted from Table B.5
19 Clinical applications of ionizing radiation: RadiotherapyTopic Time, dose and fractionation Photon vs heavy ion therapy Use of phantoms Intro to radioprotectors, radiosensitizers, and chemotherapeutic agents Learning objectives Basis for radiotherapy Types of radiotherapy Radiation and chemistry
20 Activities Chemotherapy (5:31)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKIRWY-LMYc
21 Half or full course knowledge assessment or use as discussion pointsSlides 22 and 23
22 What we have learned so farRadiation
23 Radiation and… Cell Tissue Organ Organism Animal Cells Tissues OrgansAnimals Animal
24 Clinical applications of ionizing radiation: Diagnostic/ImagingTopic Diagnostic/Imaging X-rays CT scan Nuclear medicine / PET Learning objectives Choosing the appropriate diagnostic tool
25 Radiation Uses in Everyday LifeRadiation Uses in Everyday Life activity Assign one radiation use to each student plus page 23 Write and present answers to the class The activity can be individual or done in group
26 Activities x-ray (1:29) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTz_rGP4v9YCT scan (1:00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqGmqRrxajQ PET (1:32) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHLBcCv4rqk
27 Radiation accidents: What we have learnedTopic Chernobyl Fukushima Intro to Radioecology Acute Radiation Syndrome Learning objectives Causes/sources of radiation accidents Management of radiation accidents
28 Activities Write the Abstract Intro to nuclear reactor (4:51)Write a scientific abstract based on the article on pages 1 and 2 Distribute the real paper at the end of the lesson if students wants to learn more Intro to nuclear reactor (4:51) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U6Nzcv9Vws The animals of Chernobyl (5:00) of-chernobyl.html Read about rad accidents compare / contrast – Tri miles Island – Costa Rica – Panama ect.
29 Radiation Bioterrorism Review concepts and describe the four radiation bioterrorism scenarios Distribute to students one Case study Discuss answers individually or as a group
30 Space radiation Learning objectives TopicSources of radiation in space Space- and ground-based experiments Tissue damage in space Microgravity Learning objectives The challenges of the space environment
31 Activities Microgravity activity Twin Study activityAssign one organ to each student Discuss the answers Can be done individually or as a group Twin Study activity Describe the Twin experiment (slides 1 and 2 of Twin study ppt) Have students answer the questions (Twin study activity file) Discuss students’ ideas Go back to the Twin study ppt to tell students what experiments NASA actually selected Compare with students’ ideas
32 Other Resources for Teachers tm ltiwavelength_astronomy/activities.html to-worry-or-not-to-worry/
33 The course is offered since 2015 to students selected for theColumbia University Science Honors Program A slightly simplified course was offered in 2016 and 2017 to students selected for the Columbia University Double Discovery Program