Biological dosimetry for astronauts: a real challenge

Area of Science:

• Space biology and radiation research.
• Human health in extreme environments.
• Cytogenetics and molecular biology.

Background:

• Increased manned space missions necessitate accurate biological risk assessment for astronauts.
• Astronauts face complex radiation fields, including high linear energy transfer (LET) particles.
• Physical dosimetry alone is insufficient; biologically effective doses must be estimated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review factors influencing the reliability of cytogenetic dosimetry for radiation exposure assessment.
• To emphasize the challenges posed by high LET particles in space and interindividual variability.
• To discuss dose estimation, cellular damage, and long-term risks from cosmic radiation.

Main Methods:

• Review of cytogenetic analysis techniques for radiation dose estimation.
• Comparison of conventional staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) painting.
• Analysis of interindividual variability in basal and radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations.

Main Results:

• Significant interindividual variability exists in basal chromosomal aberration levels.
• Radiation exposure induces variable individual responses, influenced by dose, radiation type, and method.
• High LET particles, prevalent in space, are potent inducers of chromosomal instability with variable expression.

Conclusions:

• Cytogenetic dosimetry is vital but complicated by interindividual variability in response to space radiation.
• Accurate dose estimation and understanding long-term risks require accounting for this variability and radiation heterogeneity.
• Further research is needed to refine dosimetry and assess the full biological impact of space radiation on astronauts.