Space Radiation Biology

Group leader: Dr.  Charlot Vandevoorde

A major challenge of space travel is exposure to space radiation, particularly galactic cosmic rays, to which exposure increases drastically once astronauts leave the protective shield of low-Earth orbit. In our Space Radiation Biology Team, we investigate multiple aspects of how space radiation affects biological systems, with the aim of improving our understanding of radiation-induced health risks associated with space missions. In addition to space-related research, we also conduct preclinical studies on novel particle therapy techniques.

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Image NASA
Image: Photograph of esa astronaut Alexander Gerst on spacewalk, source NASA
Current topics

The Impact of Galactic Cosmic Radiation on the Central Nervous System

Ultra-high Dose Rate ‘FLASH’ Radiotherapy of Glioblastoma with Neon Ions

Gut Microbiome Projects

The Relative Biological Effectiveness of Galactic Cosmic Radiation​​​​​​​

Collaboration

  • Centro Nazionale di Adroterapia Oncologica (CNAO), Pavia, Italy (Dr. Angelica Facoetti, Dr Amelia Barcellini)
  • NRF iThemba LABS, Cape Town, South Africa (Dr. Randall Fisher)
  • Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (Prof Dr. Ans Baeyens)
  • Institute of Aerospace Medicine at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Cologne, Germany (Dr. Christine Hellweg, Dr. Stefan Leuko)
  • Algorithmic Bioinformatics (jlAB), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany (Prof. Dr. Stefan Janssen)
  • Marburg Ion Therapy Center (Prof. Dr. Kilian Baumann)
  • Department of Radiation Biology and Toxicology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal, India (Prof. Dr. Kamalesh Mumbrekar)
Lab members
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Photo: A. Jansen van Vuuren
Space Radiation Biology group. From left: A. Jansen van Vuuren, J. Persigehl, C. Vandevoorde, J. Jansen, U. Panfiorava, K. Wen, O. Drayson

Group leader:
Dr. Charlot Vandevoorde

Post Doc:
Dr. Jeannette Jansen
Dr. Olivia Drayson

Ph.D. Students:
M.Sc. Amèlia Jansen van Vuuren
M.D. Kai Wen

Technical Assistant:
Jennifer Persigehl

Dr. Kamalesh Mumbrekar (Visiting Professor)


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