Reducing harm from radioactive materials inside the body
Multi-Scale Evaluation and Mitigation of Toxicities Following Internal Radionuclide Contamination
This project aims to develop better ways to measure, detect, and limit damage when radioactive materials get inside people’s bodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308292 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are measuring how radioactive particles move and concentrate in organs, tissues, cells, and even inside cells to understand where damage happens. They combine physics, chemistry, animal models, lab-grown cells, advanced imaging, and molecular tests to link particle location with biological effects and potential biomarkers. The team will create improved dose-mapping at meso, micro, and nano scales and test candidate countermeasures to reduce toxicity. Their goal is to make detection and treatment more precise so interventions work better for exposed people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with known or suspected internal radioactive contamination or those willing to donate blood or tissue samples for biomarker research and follow-up.
Not a fit: People with no history of exposure or those unwilling to provide samples or travel for follow-up are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could provide more accurate risk estimates, earlier biomarkers, and targeted treatments to reduce illness after internal radioactive exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior dosimetry and biomarker studies exist, but this integrated multi-scale approach to mitigation is largely new and not yet fully tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woloschak, Gayle E. — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Woloschak, Gayle E.
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.