Partner 6. ICEmB
Interuniversity Center "Interactions Between Electromagnetic Fields and Biosystems"
Via all'Opera Pia 11a
16145 Genoa - Italy
Scientific team
| Name |
Position |
Task |
Institution |
| M.R. Scarfì |
researcher |
team leader |
CNR-IRECE Napoli |
| M.B. Lioi |
associate professor |
micronuclei assay |
|
| O. Zeni |
researcher |
micronuclei, comet assay |
CNR-IRECE Napoli |
| R. Barbieri |
technician |
micronuclei, comet assay |
|
| A. Ramundo Orlando |
researcher |
enzimology |
CNR-IMS Roma |
| G. D’Inzeo |
full professor |
interaction mechanisms |
Università di Roma |
| S. Pisa |
researcher |
interaction mechanisms |
|
| L.Tarricone |
researcher |
interaction mechanisms |
Università di Perugia |
| B. Bianco |
full professor |
interaction mechanisms |
Università di Genova |
Objectives
The ICEmB group will study the biological effects induced in vitro following electromagnetic radiation exposure,
at both DNA and cell membrane level. The exposure will be performed in collaboration with ENEA-Frascati. As far
as DNA evaluation is concerned, the biological system investigated will be human lymphocytes; genotoxicity will
be evaluated by means of cytogenetic techniques such as the cytokinesis-block micronucleus technique and the comet
assay. In case of significant damage, the possibility of performing joint experiments in collaboration with Tel-Aviv
University (TAU) following the same protocol will be considered. Regarding the study on cell membrane, the aim
is to assess the biological effects induced on cell membrane model systems (e.g., liposomes) following the exposure.
Specifically they are concerned with alteration of membrane permeability and enzyme functions. Moreover, members
of the ICEmB group at the University of Rome will also investigate the modelling of interaction mechanisms of THz
radiation with the cell membrane.
Workplan
The ICEmB team will mainly contribute to the project workpackages as described below:
Workpackage 2.1 (24 person-months)
WP2.1 is devoted to evaluation of genotoxic effects in human lymphocytes following exposure to THz radiation. In
cooperation with ENEA the exposure conditions, both in terms of biological samples and exposure system, will be
set up. Micronucleus frequency will be evaluated by means of the cytokinesis-block technique. DNA damage will be
also evaluated by applying the Comet assay. If genotoxic effects will be detected, slides for chromosomal aberration
will be made-up and sent to TAU for performing the FISH assay.
Workpackage 2.2 (18 person-months)
WP2.2 is devoted to the evaluation of cell membrane modification following the irradiation. In particular, carbonic
anhydrase (CA) activity will be evaluated in membrane model systems containing the enzyme (liposomes). Moreover,
studies of microdosimetry will be performed to develop, together with the experimental results obtained from WP2.1
and WP2.2, a model of the interaction mechanism.