Project

Evaluating the impact of chronic exposure to low dose ionising radiation on immunity

Funded by The Carnegie Trust.

The quality of the environment we live in can impact on human health. However, the link between exposure to an environmental contaminant and its potential impact on the immune system is complex. Central to understanding this cause and effect is how we assess the contaminant’s influence on immune functions. Any negative impact on the immune system could lead to the body becoming susceptible to disease. This research focusses on the use of ionising radiation as a proxy for environmental quality, the exposure from which can be easily controlled. To mimic the human immune system, this project will adopt the greater waxmoth larvae as a model organism. This insect’s immune system possesses many similarities with the human system and is used by others to study infectious diseases. Furthermore, many insect models are monitored as “early warning systems” to detect environmental hazards. Impact of ionising radiation on the insect’s immune system will then be tested by exposing irradiated larvae to bacterial pathogens to determine susceptibility to disease along with other measures of fitness of the larvae. Data collected will help us determine how environmental contaminants affect our susceptibility to, and our ability to fight against infectious diseases.

Total award value £9,450.00

People (2)

Dr Jenson Lim

Dr Jenson Lim

Lecturer, BES

Professor David Copplestone

Professor David Copplestone

Professor, Biological and Environmental Sciences

Outputs (5)

Conference Paper (published)

Raines K, Goodman J, Copplestone D & Lim J (2022) Biomarkers and Ecological indicators for Environmental Radioactivity in Invertebrates. In: Biomarkers of Radiation in the Environment. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology. NATO Advanced Research Workshop on 'Biomarkers of Radiation in the Environment: Robust Tools for Risk Assessment (BRITE)’, Yerevan, Armenia, 28.11.2017-30.11.2017. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer, pp. 245-270. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2101-9_15