Investigation of radiation resistance mechanisms in melanized fungi
Abstract
The research objective is to use multidisciplinary approaches and a variety of radiation types, over a broad range of doses and dose rates, to elucidate the mechanisms of melanin-mediated fungal radioresistance. We will characterize the effects of radiation on major organelles and identify genes involved in radioresistance. We will determine the effects of radiation on electrochemical properties of fungal cells and identify reductants which enhance oxidation-reduction potential. We will construct mathematical models of the major processes involved in fungal radioresistance and will apply them to mammalian cells. The ultimate goal of the project is to identify the most useful insight from research on fungal model organisms (melanized and non-melanized forms of the fungus Cryptococcus neofomans), which can be generalized to humans and subsequently translated to protection of soldiers from diverse sources of ionizing radiation
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 04, 2018
- Source ID
- HDTRA11710013
Entities
People
- Ekaterina Dadachova
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- University of Saskatchewan