Innovative Solutions

Unfortunately the recent incident in Japan has revealed that even large radiation accidents are within the realms of possibility, and that a proper radiation damage assessment strategy is crucial in the aftermath of such a catastrophe. On the 19th Nuclear Medical Defence Conference in Munich, Germany, the latest developments in slide scanning technology for radiation bio-dosimetry were presented by MetaSystems.

Several bio-dosimetry assays are available to quantify DNA damage induced by irradiation, all aiming to estimate the body or partial body dose of the victims in order to apply suitable treatments. Studies have shown that the use of imaging automation with Metafer has remarkable advantages over manual scoring. Though time saving is obviously one of the major benefits, authors also reported an increase in accuracy due to larger sample sizes, a better documentation of results, and higher reproducibility by avoiding scoring biases (for details please download the conference poster "Radiation Bio-Dosimetry Automation with the Metafer Slide Scanning Platform").

In the frame of increasing cooperation and networking within the international radiation bio-dosimetry community, however, the possibility to exchange analysis parameters (by sharing either the search-specific classifier files, or images acquired with AutoCapt) is seen to be the most important plus factor. The project MULTIBIODOSE, funded by the European Community (www.multibiodose.eu), aims towards a bio-dosimetry network that is fully functional and ready to respond in case of a mass casualty. 3 out of 6 assays tested in the project are subject to imaging automation with Metafer (dicentric assay, micronucleus assay, gamma-H2AX assay). Please download the current project flyer for details on the MULTIBIODOSE project.