Radiation Biology
Michael Joiner, Ph.D.
Director, Radiation Biology Program
Graduate Officer, Department of Radiation Oncology
Mailing Address:
Department of Radiation Oncology
Academic 0ffices
540 E. Canfield, 1212 Scott Hall
Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: (313) 966-2274
Fax: (313) 966-9400
The Radiation Biology Program was established in the Fall of 2001 with the recruitment of Michael Joiner, Ph.D. from the United Kingdom.
The overall program mission is to research the bases for clinical radiation resistance, to identify resistance in patients, and to develop targeted interventions to overcome resistance. The program is focused on providing complete biological support to the department, including the provision of biology teaching to residents, therapists and physicists.
The Radiation Biology Program is currently focusing on the following research:
- Molecular basis for clinical radiation resistance and diversity seen in the response to radiation therapy.
- Identification of radioresistant patients and development of targeted interventions to overcome that resistance.
- Use of low-dose hyper-radiosensitivity to overcome clinical radioresistance.
- Risk of secondary cancer induction by low radiation doses given in complex plans using intensity-modulated radiotherapy.
- Development and characterization of low-energy (fluorescent) X-ray sources for brachytherapy.
- Incorporation of biological response prediction into radiotherapy treatment planning.