DOSE-RESPONSE STUDY USING MICRONUCLEUS CYTOME ASSAY: A TOOL FOR BIODOSIMETRY APPLICATION.

The present study is aimed at obtaining in vitro dose-response data for the induction of micronucleus (MN) and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) in human lymphocytes using 60Co-gamma rays and 8 MeV pulsed electron beam. An attempt was made to validate the possibility of applying NPBs as new biodosimetry endpoint in the dose range of 0-6 Gy. A total of 1000 binucleated cells (BNCs) per dose point were evaluated for the frequency of MN and NPBs. From the study, it is clear that the dose-response increase of MN and NPBs is linear quadratic in nature. The study provides linear and quadratic parameter for biodosimetry application. The relative biological effectiveness value of the 8 MeV electron beam was estimated using slope values and is found to be 1.18 ± 0.01 for MN/BNCs, 1.27 ± 0.02 for the fraction of BNCs with MN, 1.16 ± 0.13 for MN/(BNCs with MN) and 1.09±0.01 for NPBs.