Effects of phthalates on marine organisms: cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP) on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) embryonic cell line.

INTRODUCTION: Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) represents a toxicological risk for marine organisms due to its widespread presence in aquatic environments. METHODS: MEHP effects on cell viability, cell death and genotoxicity were investigated on the DLEC cell line, derived from early embryos of the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L. RESULTS: A dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, with no induction of necrotic process, except at its highest concentration, was observed. Moreover, chromosomal instability was detected, both in binucleated and mononucleated cells, coupled with a minor inhibition of cell proliferation, whereas genomic instability was not revealed. To our knowledge, the overall results suggest the first evidence of a possible aneugenic effect of this compound in the DLEC cell line, that is the induction of chromosomal loss events without the induction of primary DNA damage. CONCLUSIONS: MEHP should be considered more harmful than its parent compound DEHP, because it induces genomic instability in the DLEC cell line without triggering cell death.

X-rays induced alterations in mechanical and biochemical properties of isolated SH-SY5Y nuclei.

BACKGROUND: The use of ionizing radiations in radiotherapy is an effective and very common cancer treatment after surgery. Although ionizing-radiation DNA damages are extensively investigated, little is known about their effects on the other nuclear components, since their variations when studied in whole cells can be difficult to decouple from those of the cytoplasmatic structures. The organization of nuclear components plays a functional role since they are directly involved in some of the nuclear response to chemical or physical stimuli. For this reason, studying the X-ray effects on nuclear components is a crucial step in radiobiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have used Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and micro-FTIR to examine the biomechanical and biochemical properties of hydrated fixed nuclei isolated from neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells irradiated by 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy X-ray doses. RESULTS: The experimental results have shown that, already at 2 Gy irradiation dose, the nuclei exhibit not only a DNA damage, but also relevant alterations of lipid saturation, protein secondary structure arrangement and a significant decrease in nuclear stiffness, which indicate a remarkable chromatin decondensation. CONCLUSIONS AND GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The present work demonstrates that a multi-technique approach, able to disclose multiple features, can be helpful to achieve a comprehensive picture of the X-ray irradiation effects of the nuclear components and distinguish them from those occurring at the level of cytoplasm.

Young transgenic hMTH1 mice are protected against dietary fat-induced metabolic stress-implications for enhanced longevity.

hMTH1 protects against mutation during oxidative stress. It degrades 8-oxodGTP to exclude potentially mutagenic oxidized guanine from DNA. hMTH1 expression is linked to ageing. Its downregulation in cultured cells accelerates RAS-induced senescence, and its overexpression in hMTH1-Tg mice extends lifespan. In this study, we analysed the effects of a brief (5 weeks) high-fat diet challenge (HFD) in young (2 months old) and adult (7 months old) wild-type (WT) and hMTH1-Tg mice. We report that at 2 months, hMTH1 overexpression ameliorated HFD-induced weight gain, changes in liver metabolism related to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. It prevented DNA damage as quantified by a comet assay. At 7 months old, these HFD-induced effects were less severe and hMTH1-Tg and WT mice responded similarly. hMTH1 overexpression conferred lifelong protection against micronucleus induction, however. Since the canonical activity of hMTH1 is mutation prevention, we conclude that hMTH1 protects young mice against HFD by reducing genome instability during the early period of rapid growth and maximal gene expression. hMTH1 protection is redundant in the largely non-growing, differentiated tissues of adult mice. In hMTH1-Tg mice, expression of a less heavily mutated genome throughout life provides a plausible explanation for their extended longevity.

The mitochondrial poison carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) induces aneugenic effects in primary human fibroblasts: a possible link between mitochondrial dysfunction and chromosomal loss.

An association between proper chromosome segregation and intact mitochondria has been extensively reported. This could be related to the effects on the progression of cell division of altered energy production, increased oxidative stress, and deregulated calcium homeostasis. However, evidence for a direct relationship is still lacking. The present study was aimed at investigating the possible effect of mitochondrial dysfunction on chromosomal instability as detected in primary human cells treated with the mitochondrial poison carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP). Chromosome instability was analyzed in anaphase and interphase cells to follow the fate of chromosome damage during the progression of mitosis and the subsequent cell cycle. Through the combination of cytogenetic approaches and molecular analyses, i.e. morphological cell analysis, formation and characterization of micronucleus content, Comet assay, and gene expression, it was demonstrated that the prevalent DNA damage associated with CCCP treatment was the induction of chromosome loss, while primary DNA damage was not detected. No alterations in the shape of anaphase cells were observed nor induction of multipolar spindles. The proper activation of mitotic checkpoint was maintained. A linear dose-response curve characterizing the CCCP effects suggested that multiple cellular targets could be affected by the CCCP-induced mitochondrial dysfunctions triggering aneuploidy. Conversely, a steep increase was induced by the positive control vinblastine, known to have tubulin as a unique target. In addition, the effect of CCCP on mitochondrial function was demonstrated by changes in mitochondrial DNA copy number and in the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial maintenance. Overall, these results indicate that the mitochondrial poison CCCP may induce aneugenic effects.

DNA integrity and ecophysiological responses of Spanish populations of Ulmus glabra to increasing ozone levels.

Ulmus glabra is a deciduous tree with a wide distribution in the Eurosiberian region. The southernmost populations, in the Mediterranean area, are fragmented in mountain areas which act as a refugium. These small relict populations can act as sentinel of global change, including climate change and impacts of human activities such as air pollution. Besides, tropospheric ozone (O3) is an additional stress factor in the Mediterranean region affecting plant physiology and health. Moreover, oxidative stress caused by O3 could increase DNA damage in plants cells. U. glabra 4-year-old seedlings originated from a natural population growing in the Guadarrama mountain range (central Spain), were exposed in Open Top Chambers to four O3 treatments: charcoal filtered air, non-filtered air reproducing ambient levels, non-filtered air supplemented with 15 nl l-1 O3 and non- filtered air supplemented with 30 nl l-1 O3. Ozone effects on the DNA integrity through Comet assay were evaluated and eco-physiological responses were explored as well as. Comet assay showed a significant increase of DNA damage with increasing levels of O3 after only one-month exposure, when no eco-physiological symptoms of damage could be detected. Comet assay could thus be suggested as a predictive test to detect DNA damage induced in plants by other abiotic stresses as well as to identify tolerant and sensitive species or in preservation strategies of small relict populations. The discovery of a test for an early identification of stressed plants could be important to speed the selection of tolerant individuals for breeding programmes.

RENEB Inter-Laboratory comparison 2017: limits and pitfalls of ILCs.

PURPOSE: In case of a mass-casualty radiological event, there would be a need for networking to overcome surge limitations and to quickly obtain homogeneous results (reported aberration frequencies or estimated doses) among biodosimetry laboratories. These results must be consistent within such network. Inter-laboratory comparisons (ILCs) are widely accepted to achieve this homogeneity. At the European level, a great effort has been made to harmonize biological dosimetry laboratories, notably during the MULTIBIODOSE and RENEB projects. In order to continue the harmonization efforts, the RENEB consortium launched this intercomparison which is larger than the RENEB network, as it involves 38 laboratories from 21 countries. In this ILC all steps of the process were monitored, from blood shipment to dose estimation. This exercise also aimed to evaluate the statistical tools used to compare laboratory performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were irradiated at three different doses, 1.8, 0.4 and 0 Gy (samples A, C and B) with 4-MV X-rays at 0.5 Gy min-1, and sent to the participant laboratories. Each laboratory was requested to blindly analyze 500 cells per sample and to report the observed frequency of dicentric chromosomes per metaphase and the corresponding estimated dose. RESULTS: This ILC demonstrates that blood samples can be successfully distributed among laboratories worldwide to perform biological dosimetry in case of a mass casualty event. Having achieved a substantial harmonization in multiple areas among the RENEB laboratories issues were identified with the available statistical tools, which are not capable to advantageously exploit the richness of results of a large ILCs. Even though Z- and U-tests are accepted methods for biodosimetry ILCs, setting the number of analyzed metaphases to 500 and establishing a tests' common threshold for all studied doses is inappropriate for evaluating laboratory performance. Another problem highlighted by this ILC is the issue of the dose-effect curve diversity. It clearly appears that, despite the initial advantage of including the scoring specificities of each laboratory, the lack of defined criteria for assessing the robustness of each laboratory's curve is a disadvantage for the 'one curve per laboratory' model. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our study, it seems relevant to develop tools better adapted to the collection and processing of results produced by the participant laboratories. We are confident that, after an initial harmonization phase reached by the RENEB laboratories, a new step toward a better optimization of the laboratory networks in biological dosimetry and associated ILC is on the way.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Artemisinin-Based Hybrid and Dimer Derivatives as Antimelanoma Agents.

A library of hybrid and dimer compounds based on the natural scaffold of artemisinin was synthesized. These derivatives were obtained by coupling of artemisinin derivatives, artesunate, and dihydroartemisinin with a panel of phytochemical compounds. The novel artemisinin-based hybrids and dimers were evaluated for their anticancer activity on a cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and on three complementary metastatic melanoma cancer cell lines (SK-MEL3, SK-MEL24, and RPMI-7951). Two hybrid compounds obtained by coupling of artesunate with eugenol and tyrosol, and one of the dimer compounds containing curcumin, emerged as the most active and cancer-selective derivatives.

In vitro evaluation of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) embryonic cell line.

Marine litter is extensively distributed in the marine environment, and plastic debris, of which litter is mostly composed, can be a major source of pollutants. Among them, Di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is the most abundantly used plastic additive, and it has been reported to affect biochemical processes both in humans and wildlife; however, studies on its toxicological effects on marine organisms are still scarce. In this survey, we studied the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects of DEHP in European sea bass embryonic cell line (DLEC) by applying specific in vitro tests. Results showed a significant decrease in cell viability starting at 0.01 mM of DEHP after 24 h together with a significant increase in apoptosis and necrosis, morphological changes and cell detachment. Consistently, we detected a moderate increase in DNA strand breaks from 0.02 mM, and a dose-dependent increase in of micronucleus frequency from 0.01 mM, accompanied by a significant inhibition of cell proliferation, which suggested a possible aneugenic effect of this phthalate. Our results demonstrate that in vitro exposure to DEHP had a dose-dependent cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in DLEC cell line, encouraging further investigation into its effects in in vivo and/or ex vivo cell systems of marine organisms.

Oxidative nucleophilic substitution selectively produces cambinol derivatives with antiproliferative activity on bladder cancer cell lines.

Methyltrioxorhenium mediated oxidative addition/elimination nucleophilic substitution yielded alkylamino and arylamino cambinol derivatives characterized by anti-proliferative activity against wild-type and p53 mutated MGH-U1 and RT112 bladder cancer cell lines. Some of the novel compounds showed an activity higher than that of the lead compound. The reaction was highly regioselective, affording for the first time a panel of C-2 cambinol substitution products. Aliphatic primary and secondary amines, and primary aromatic amines, were used as nitrogen centered nucleophiles. Surprisingly, the antiproliferative activity of C-2 substituted cambinol derivatives was not correlated to the induction of p53 protein, as evaluated by the analysis of the cell viability on wild-type and p53 mutated cancer cell lines, and further confirmed by western blot analyses. These data suggest that they exert their antiproliferative activity by a mechanism completely different from cambinol.

Modulation of chromatin conformation by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A promotes the removal of radiation-induced lesions in ataxia telangiectasia cell lines.

Ataxia telangiectasia is a rare autosomal recessive genome instability syndrome caused by mutations in the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated gene and characterized by a very high sensitivity to agents inducing double strand breaks such as ionizing radiation. In cells derived from ataxia telangiectasia patients a prominent enhancement of chromosomal aberrations is revealed as a consequence of this radiosensitivity characteristic, arising from defective DNA repair for a small fraction of breaks localized in the less accessible heterochromatin. Moreover, the signaling mediated by ataxia telangiectasia protein kinase also modifies chromatin structure. Even if there is a lot of knowledge concerning biochemical aspects of repair of double strand breaks, no conclusive results on radiosensitivity of structurally- and functionally-different chromatin are available, particularly in ataxia telangiectasia cells. Thus, a wild-type cell line and two ataxia telangiectasia patient derived ones could represent a suitable model to study the possible relationship between chromatin conformation and sensitivity to ionizing radiation. In this context, the effects of both cytosine arabinoside, an inhibitor of DNA repair synthesis, and trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, were tested in normal and ataxia telangiectasia lymphoblastoid cell lines carrying different mutation in the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated gene. The response to both inhibitors was investigated analyzing two endpoints, namely, chromosomal aberrations and the removal of DNA lesions by Comet assay, after exposure to X-rays. Results obtained suggest that the modulation of chromatin structure by trichostatin A leading to a more open conformation, decreases radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations in ataxia telangiectasia cells. The reduction in chromosomal instability can be attributed to an enhancement in DNA repair occurring in the presence of the histone deacetylase inhibitor, as its abolishment by the known inhibitor of DNA repair synthesis cytosine arabinoside clearly demonstrates. Data obtained could indicate a pivotal role of chromatin conformation in the radiosensitivity of ataxia telangiectasia cells.

Influence of chromatin remodeling in the removal of UVC-induced damage in TCR proficient and deficient Chinese hamster cells.

In mammalian cells, nucleotide excision repair system is constituted of two sub-pathways, global genomic repair (GGR) and transcription coupled repair (TCR). Deficiency of TCR pathway leads to Cockyane syndrome (CS) which is a rare human autosomal recessive disorder. Owing to the pivotal role of CSB gene in TCR, it's mutation causes severe repair and transcriptional defects in CSB patients. CSB protein belongs to the ATP chromatin remodeling complex, hence presumably an improper chromatin remodeling in CSB cells could be at the source of inefficient removal of pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) after UVC exposure in these patients. In this study, we evaluated the role of chromatin remodeling process on UVC induced CPDs and the ensuing effect on chromosomal aberrations in UV61 cells (TCR deficient) and its parental cell line, AA8 (TCR proficient). We observed that post 2 h UVC irradiation, both cell lines underwent pronounced chromatin relaxation but was lower in CSB deficient UV61 cells. Since the deficiency in chromatin remodeling in CSB-mutated cells was accompanied by a decrease in the histone acetylation level, the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) was employed to improve the removal of UVC-induced lesions by increasing the histone acetylation level. Contrary to expectations, TSA increased the induction of chromosomal aberrations and apoptotic cells along with amounts of CPDs after UVC-irradiation, indicating that changes in histone acetylation levels might contribute to the failure in the removal of UVC-induced lesions. Also, it has been shown earlier that the expression of genes regulated by CSB is affected by the increase in the acetylation level produced by TSA. Taken all together, we hypothesize that failure in the removal of UVC induced lesions in CSB-deficient cells can be caused by an imbalance in histone acetylation levels leading to chromatin conformation changes and hence interaction defects among repair proteins and DNA lesions.

Tyrosinase-Treated Hydroxytyrosol-Enriched Olive Vegetation Waste with Increased Antioxidant Activity Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits the Inflammatory Response in Human THP-1 Monocytes.

Treatment of olive vegetation waste with tyrosinase immobilized on multiwalled carbon nanotubes increased the antioxidant activity as a consequence of the conversion of phenols to corresponding catechol derivatives, as evaluated by DPPH, Comet assay, and micronucleus analyses. During this transformation, 4-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol (tyrosol) was quantitatively converted to bioactive 3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl alcohol (hydroxytyrosol). The hydroxytyrosol-enriched olive vegetation waste also promoted autophagy and inhibited the inflammatory response in human THP-1 monocytes.

Graphene-Based Raman Spectroscopy for pH Sensing of X-rays Exposed and Unexposed Culture Media and Cells.

Graphene provides a unique way of sensing the local pH level of substances on the micrometric scale, with important implications for the monitoring of cellular metabolic activities where proton excretion could occur. Accordingly, an innovative biosensing approach for the quantification of the pH value of biological fluids, to be used also with small amounts of fluids, was realized and tested. It is based on the use of micro-Raman spectroscopy to detect the modifications of the graphene doping level induced by the contact of the graphene with the selected fluids. The approach was preliminarily tested on aqueous solutions of known pH values. It was then used to quantify the pH values of cell culture media directly exposed to different doses of X-ray radiation and to media exposed to X-ray-irradiated cells. The Raman response of cells placed on graphene layers was also examined.

Genetic effects in Helix aspersa near a coal plant revealed by the micronucleus test.

Coal plants can be a major source of mutagenic pollutants. In this study we used the common land snail Helix aspersa, to detect the mutagenic effect of pollution from a coal plant in central Italy applying the micronucleus test (MN) on snail's haemocytes and evaluating trace elements concentration (As Cd, Pb, Hg, and Zn) in soil and snails. Snails from a biological farm were exposed for 13 days in five locations at different distances from the plant. Wild snails collected in the same locations were also analysed. MN frequency in exposed snails was significantly higher in four locations within 10 km from to the plant, with respect to the control and the farthest location. Comparing the MN frequency between farmed and wild snails, a significantly higher frequency emerged for the exposed snails in all locations except the farthest, likely indicating adaptation or selection of the wild organisms due to chronic exposure to pollutants. In natural snails significantly higher MN frequencies with near the plant emerged as well. Trace elements analysis showed significant correlations between MN frequencies and both Zn and As concentrations in soil, for both exposed and wild snails, and Zn and Pb concentrations in exposed snails. Our results were consistent with those previously obtained when evaluating primary DNA damage in natural snails from the same area and show that the snails near the plant were affected by a permanent cytogenetic damage. Moreover, they confirm the suitability of snails for biomonitoring the presence of pollutants with mutagenic effect.

Capabilities of the RENEB network for research and large scale radiological and nuclear emergency situations.

PURPOSE: To identify and assess, among the participants in the RENEB (Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry) project, the emergency preparedness, response capabilities and resources that can be deployed in the event of a radiological or nuclear accident/incident affecting a large number of individuals. These capabilities include available biodosimetry techniques, infrastructure, human resources (existing trained staff), financial and organizational resources (including the role of national contact points and their articulation with other stakeholders in emergency response) as well as robust quality control/assurance systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was prepared and sent to the RENEB partners in order to acquire information about the existing, operational techniques and infrastructure in the laboratories of the different RENEB countries and to assess the capacity of response in the event of radiological or nuclear accident involving mass casualties. The survey focused on several main areas: laboratory's general information, country and staff involved in biological and physical dosimetry; retrospective assays used, the number of assays available per laboratory and other information related to biodosimetry and emergency preparedness. Following technical intercomparisons amongst RENEB members, an update of the survey was performed one year later concerning the staff and the available assays. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of RENEB questionnaires allowed a detailed assessment of existing capacity of the RENEB network to respond to nuclear and radiological emergencies. This highlighted the key importance of international cooperation in order to guarantee an effective and timely response in the event of radiological or nuclear accidents involving a considerable number of casualties. The deployment of the scientific and technical capabilities existing within the RENEB network members seems mandatory, to help other countries with less or no capacity for biological or physical dosimetry, or countries overwhelmed in case of a radiological or nuclear accident involving a large number of individuals.

RENEB accident simulation exercise.

PURPOSE: The RENEB accident exercise was carried out in order to train the RENEB participants in coordinating and managing potentially large data sets that would be generated in case of a major radiological event. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each participant was offered the possibility to activate the network by sending an alerting email about a simulated radiation emergency. The same participant had to collect, compile and report capacity, triage categorization and exposure scenario results obtained from all other participants. The exercise was performed over 27 weeks and involved the network consisting of 28 institutes: 21 RENEB members, four candidates and three non-RENEB partners. RESULTS: The duration of a single exercise never exceeded 10 days, while the response from the assisting laboratories never came later than within half a day. During each week of the exercise, around 4500 samples were reported by all service laboratories (SL) to be examined and 54 scenarios were coherently estimated by all laboratories (the standard deviation from the mean of all SL answers for a given scenario category and a set of data was not larger than 3 patient codes). CONCLUSIONS: Each participant received training in both the role of a reference laboratory (activating the network) and of a service laboratory (responding to an activation request). The procedures in the case of radiological event were successfully established and tested.

Dose assessment intercomparisons within the RENEB network using G0-lymphocyte prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCC assay).

PURPOSE: Dose assessment intercomparisons within the RENEB network were performed for triage biodosimetry analyzing G0-lymphocyte PCC for harmonization, standardization and optimization of the PCC assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparative analysis among different partners for dose assessment included shipment of PCC-slides and captured images to construct dose-response curves for up to 6 Gy γ-rays. Accident simulation exercises were performed to assess the suitability of the PCC assay by detecting speed of analysis and minimum number of cells required for categorization of potentially exposed individuals. RESULTS: Calibration data based on Giemsa-stained fragments in excess of 46 PCC were obtained by different partners using galleries of PCC images for each dose-point. Mean values derived from all scores yielded a linear dose-response with approximately 4 excess-fragments/cell/Gy. To unify scoring criteria, exercises were carried out using coded PCC-slides and/or coded irradiated blood samples. Analysis of samples received 24 h post-exposure was successfully performed using Giemsa staining (1 excess-fragment/cell/Gy) or centromere/telomere FISH-staining for dicentrics. CONCLUSIONS: Dose assessments by RENEB partners using appropriate calibration curves were mostly in good agreement. The PCC assay is quick and reliable for whole- or partial-body triage biodosimetry by scoring excess-fragments or dicentrics in G0-lymphocytes. Particularly, analysis of Giemsa-stained excess PCC-fragments is simple, inexpensive and its automation could increase throughput and scoring objectivity of the PCC assay.

RENEB intercomparisons applying the conventional Dicentric Chromosome Assay (DCA).

PURPOSE: Two quality controlled inter-laboratory exercises were organized within the EU project 'Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB)' to further optimize the dicentric chromosome assay (DCA) and to identify needs for training and harmonization activities within the RENEB network. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The general study design included blood shipment, sample processing, analysis of chromosome aberrations and radiation dose assessment. After manual scoring of dicentric chromosomes in different cell numbers dose estimations and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were submitted by the participants. RESULTS: The shipment of blood samples to the partners in the European Community (EU) were performed successfully. Outside the EU unacceptable delays occurred. The results of the dose estimation demonstrate a very successful classification of the blood samples in medically relevant groups. In comparison to the 1st exercise the 2nd intercomparison showed an improvement in the accuracy of dose estimations especially for the high dose point. CONCLUSIONS: In case of a large-scale radiological incident, the pooling of ressources by networks can enhance the rapid classification of individuals in medically relevant treatment groups based on the DCA. The performance of the RENEB network as a whole has clearly benefited from harmonization processes and specific training activities for the network partners.

RENEB - Running the European Network of biological dosimetry and physical retrospective dosimetry.

PURPOSE: A European network was initiated in 2012 by 23 partners from 16 European countries with the aim to significantly increase individualized dose reconstruction in case of large-scale radiological emergency scenarios. RESULTS: The network was built on three complementary pillars: (1) an operational basis with seven biological and physical dosimetric assays in ready-to-use mode, (2) a basis for education, training and quality assurance, and (3) a basis for further network development regarding new techniques and members. Techniques for individual dose estimation based on biological samples and/or inert personalized devices as mobile phones or smart phones were optimized to support rapid categorization of many potential victims according to the received dose to the blood or personal devices. Communication and cross-border collaboration were also standardized. To assure long-term sustainability of the network, cooperation with national and international emergency preparedness organizations was initiated and links to radiation protection and research platforms have been developed. A legal framework, based on a Memorandum of Understanding, was established and signed by 27 organizations by the end of 2015. CONCLUSIONS: RENEB is a European Network of biological and physical-retrospective dosimetry, with the capacity and capability to perform large-scale rapid individualized dose estimation. Specialized to handle large numbers of samples, RENEB is able to contribute to radiological emergency preparedness and wider large-scale research projects.

Investigation of the influence of calibration practices on cytogenetic laboratory performance for dose estimation.

PURPOSE: In the frame of the QA program of RENEB, an inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) of calibration sources used in biological dosimetry was achieved to investigate the influence of calibration practices and protocols on the results of the dose estimation performance as a first step to harmonization and standardization of dosimetry and irradiation practices in the European biological dosimetry network. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Delivered doses by irradiation facilities used by RENEB partners were determined with EPR/alanine dosimetry system. Dosimeters were irradiated in the same conditions as blood samples. A short survey was also performed to collect the information needed for the data analysis and evaluate the diversity of practices. RESULTS: For most of partners the deviation of delivered dose from the targeted dose remains below 10%. Deviations larger than 10% were observed for five facilities out of 21. Origins of the largest discrepancies were identified. Correction actions were evaluated as satisfactory. The re-evaluation of some ILC results for the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and premature chromosome condensation (PCC) assays has been performed leading to an improvement of the overall performances. CONCLUSIONS: This work has shown the importance of dosimetry in radiobiology studies and the needs of harmonization, standardization in irradiation and dosimetry practices and educational training for biologists using ionizing radiation.