Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB)

Purpose: In the framework of the 'Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry' (RENEB) project, two intercomparison exercises were conducted to assess the suitability of an optimized version of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, and to evaluate the capacity of a large laboratory network performing biodosimetry for radiation emergency triages. Twelve European institutions participated in the first exercise, and four non-RENEB labs were added in the second one. Materials and methods: Irradiated blood samples were shipped to participating labs, whose task was to culture these samples and provide a blind dose estimate. Micronucleus analysis was performed by automated, semi-automated and manual procedures. Results: The dose estimates provided by network laboratories were in good agreement with true administered doses. The most accurate estimates were reported for low dose points ( 0.94 Gy). For higher dose points (! 2.7 Gy) a larger variation in estimates was observed, though in the second exercise the number of acceptable estimates increased satisfactorily. Higher accuracy was achieved with the semi-automated method. Conclusion: The results of the two exercises performed by our network demonstrate that the micronucleus assay is a useful tool for large-scale radiation emergencies, and can be successfully implemented within a large network of laboratories. ARTICLE HISTORY

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

RENEB intercomparison exercises analyzing micronuclei (Cytokinesis-block Micronucleus Assay)

Depuydt

Baeyens

Barnard

et al. 2016

“…The working group 10 on retrospective dosimetry of EURADOS was initially aimed at development of the cooperation and exchange between biologists and physicists. Later, MULTIBIODOSE and RENEB EC projects have followed the same philosophy (Kulka et al 2012;Wojcik et al 2014). It is desirable to create conditions for such cooperation in order to improve the quality of realization of radiobiology experiments and to make all the published results useful.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of the influence of calibration practices on cytogenetic laboratory performance for dose estimation

Trompier

Baumann

Barrios

et al. 2016

Purpose: In the frame of the QA program of RENEB, an inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) of calibration sources used in biological dosimetry was achieved to investigate the influence of calibration practices and protocols on the results of the dose estimation performance as a first step to harmonization and standardization of dosimetry and irradiation practices in the European biological dosimetry network. Materials and methods: Delivered doses by irradiation facilities used by RENEB partners were determined with EPR/alanine dosimetry system. Dosimeters were irradiated in the same conditions as blood samples. A short survey was also performed to collect the information needed for the data analysis and evaluate the diversity of practices. Results: For most of partners the deviation of delivered dose from the targeted dose remains below 10%. Deviations larger than 10% were observed for five facilities out of 21. Origins of the largest discrepancies were identified. Correction actions were evaluated as satisfactory. The re-evaluation of some ILC results for the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and premature chromosome condensation (PCC) assays has been performed leading to an improvement of the overall performances. Conclusions: This work has shown the importance of dosimetry in radiobiology studies and the needs of harmonization, standardization in irradiation and dosimetry practices and educational training for biologists using ionizing radiation. ARTICLE HISTORY

“…Additional partners joined from the EU project 'MULTIBIODOSE' (http://www.multibiodose.eu) and/or were members of Working Group 10 'retrospective dosimetry' of the EURADOS association (www.eurados.org), and thus have experience in the development and application of biodosimetric tools. In total, 23 organizations from 16 European countries built the RENEB consortium at the start of the project in 2012 (Kulka et al 2012;Voisin et al 2012 (Table 1). Most of the partners had research experience but also practical experience in handling radiation accidents, and a number of them had specially defined missions to undertake national tasks linked to radiation protection and biological dosimetry with the status of an official national biodosimetry laboratory.…”

Section: Reneb Project Partners ('Starting Members')mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2012, a total of 23 organizations from 16 European countries joined forces and started to realize this project, in order to guarantee the highest efficiency in processing and scoring of biological and personalized inert samples for fast and reliable dose estimations on an individual level to support EU emergency management (Kulka et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

RENEB – Running the European Network of biological dosimetry and physical retrospective dosimetry

Kulka

Abend

Ainsbury

et al. 2016

Purpose: A European network was initiated in 2012 by 23 partners from 16 European countries with the aim to significantly increase individualized dose reconstruction in case of large-scale radiological emergency scenarios. Results: The network was built on three complementary pillars: (1) an operational basis with seven biological and physical dosimetric assays in ready-to-use mode, (2) a basis for education, training and quality assurance, and (3) a basis for further network development regarding new techniques and members. Techniques for individual dose estimation based on biological samples and/or inert personalized devices as mobile phones or smart phones were optimized to support rapid categorization of many potential victims according to the received dose to the blood or personal devices. Communication and cross-border collaboration were also standardized. To assure long-term sustainability of the network, cooperation with national and international emergency preparedness organizations was initiated and links to radiation protection and research platforms have been developed. A legal framework, based on a Memorandum of Understanding, was established and signed by 27 organizations by the end of 2015. Conclusions: RENEB is a European Network of biological and physical-retrospective dosimetry, with the capacity and capability to perform large-scale rapid individualized dose estimation. Specialized to handle large numbers of samples, RENEB is able to contribute to radiological emergency preparedness and wider large-scale research projects. ARTICLE HISTORY