Diagnostic Biodosimetry Response for Radiation Disasters: Current Research and Service Activities at AFRRI PGS Prasanna, Ph.D.; JM Muderhwa, Ph.D. Major (MS, USA); AC Miller, Ph.D.; MB Grace, Ph.D.; CA Salter, Ph.D. LTC (MS, USA); and WF Blakely, Ph.D. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Building 42 Bethesda, MD 20889-5603 USA E-mail: prasanna@afrri.usuhs.mil ABSTRACT Diagnostic Biodosimetry Response for Radiation Disasters Using Advanced Molecular Cytogenetic, Molecular Biology, and a Biodosimetry Assessment Tool: Current Research and Service Activities at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute This paper addresses the importance of diagnostic radiation dose assessment to help develop a treatment strategy within days of a catastrophe. The long-range goals of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) Biological Dosimetry Team are to develop validated radiation biodosimeters and to equip medical personnel with diagnostic information (clinical signs and symptoms, physical dosimetry, etc.) germane to the medical management of human radiation casualties. Our specific objectives are (a) to establish definitive, rapid, high-throughput clinical bioassays for radiation dose assessments, (b) to develop complementary triage-type radiation dose assessment bioassays, and (c) to transition the Biodosimetry Assessment Tool (BAT) software program to facilitate the collection, integration, and arching of biodosimetry data to support medical treatment decisions of radiation-exposed individuals. The experimental approach involves three steps: (a) to establish a “reach-back reference laboratory” that uses conventional bioassays for definitive analyses of biological samples; (b) to develop a validated and forward-deployable biological dosimetry capability for rapid radiation dose assessment, with an emphasis on the use of molecular biology-based diagnostic platforms; and (c) to integrate the biodosimetry data in a suitable software platform to assist in medical management, for example, BAT software. AFRRI researchers established the conventional lymphocyte metaphase-spread dicentric assay in accordance with international harmonized protocols and have been applying it in order to estimate radiation doses in several overexposure accidents. The researchers seek to validate a novel interphase, cell-based cytological bioassay that detects cells with chromosomal-type aberrations and radiation-responsive molecular biomarkers (e.g., gene expression, protein) and to perfect it for rapid radiation dose assessment applications. The BAT software program was released at the AFRRI website (www.afrri.usuhs.mil ) in June 2002. Designed primarily for prompt use after a radiation incident, the user-friendly program facilitates collection, integration, and archiving of data obtained from exposed persons. Data collected in templates, using the Microsoft Windows-compatible, user-friendly software program, are compared with established radiation dose responses obtained from the literature to provide multiparameter dose assessment. The program Paper presented at the RTO HFM Symposium on “NATO Medical Surveillance and Response, Research and Technology Opportunities and Options”, held in Budapest, Hungary, 19-21 April 2004, and published in RTO-MP-HFM-108. RTO-MP-HFM-108 24 - 1