Cell death bypass mechanisms in DNA damage response of mammalian cells after exposure with heavy ions relevant for space radiation environment (13-J399)

There are two limiting factors for humans in space, namely microgravity and galactic cosmic radiation. For sake of improved risk assessment for astronauts, the cellular response to such ionizing radiation qualities that predominate in space (high linear energy transfer, LET) needs to be better understood. One of the key elements to be investigated is cell cycle control. It acts as a central element in DNA damage response as a switch for cellular decision making between life and death. Thus, cell death bypass mechanisms in DNA damage response of mammalian cells will be investigated after heavy ion exposure relevant for the space radiation environment. The dependency of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) on LET will be determined for different biological endpoints: cellular survival, the activation of transcription factors, identification of genes expressed in DNA damage response.