Finding fungal-derived ways to protect against radiation exposure
Identifying the radioprotective potential of radiation-resistant fungi using Drosophila
Testing whether harmless, radiation-resistant fungi can provide protection against harmful ionizing radiation that damages bone marrow, gut, and reproductive tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethesda, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144266 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Radiation can severely damage rapidly dividing cells in the bone marrow, gut, and reproductive organs, and older people are often more vulnerable to this damage. Researchers are feeding non-pathogenic, radiation-resistant fungi to fruit flies to see if a fungal-rich diet lowers radiation harm to those organs. Fruit flies are being used because they eat fungi naturally and share many basic biological responses to radiation with vertebrates, allowing fast screening of protective effects. The team aims to find fungal compounds that could later be developed into medicines or supplements to protect people at risk of radiation exposure, such as astronauts or patients getting radiation therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most likely to benefit would include those at higher risk of significant radiation exposure—such as astronauts, nuclear workers, and patients receiving therapeutic radiation—if compounds progress to human testing.
Not a fit: People without any risk of radiation exposure or whose health problems are unrelated to radiation are unlikely to benefit from this research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drugs or dietary supplements that help protect people from acute radiation injury.
How similar studies have performed: While a few drugs (for example, amifostine) can protect against radiation damage, using radiation-resistant fungi as an oral source of radioprotective compounds is a novel and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Bethesda, United States
- Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med — Bethesda, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cox, Rachel Tafel — Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/med
- Study coordinator: Cox, Rachel Tafel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.