Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
10:16
Promoter Capture Hi-C: High-resolution, Genome-wide Profiling of Promoter Interactions
Published on: June 28, 2018
Don Lawrence and the "k-capture" revolution
1University of Massachusetts Medical School, Levine Cancer Center, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. aronowitz@radium-therapy.com
Brachytherapy
|August 28, 2010
Summary
Innovations in low-energy seeds revitalized brachytherapy, a cancer treatment. Donald Lawrence
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Oncology
- Radiation Therapy
Background:
- Brachytherapy adoption declined mid-20th century due to safety concerns.
- Early brachytherapy techniques faced significant challenges.
Discussion:
- This article reviews innovations that revived brachytherapy.
- Focus is on low-energy seeds for permanent implantation, enhancing safety and efficacy.
Key Insights:
- Paul Harper proposed k-capture radionuclides in the 1950s.
- Donald Lawrence pioneered Iodine-125 (I-125) in the 1960s and Cesium-131 (Cs-131) later.
- Lawrence's work was crucial for modern brachytherapy seed development.
Outlook:
- Continued innovation in brachytherapy seeds promises improved cancer treatment outcomes.
- The legacy of Donald Lawrence highlights the impact of dedicated health physicists.
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