The physics and biology of proton beam therapy
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that protons, depending on their energy and the position of cell radiation relative to the Bragg peak, induce a different range of DNA damage compared to x-rays. There is also evidence suggesting that this variety of proton-induced DNA damage can lead to an alternative cellular DNA damage response compared to that caused by x-ray-induced DNA damage, mediated by different DNA damage signalling and repair pathways. Molecular and cellular biological studies and techniques will be combined with MC simulation of beam-cell interaction over a range of energies (up to 60 MeV) to improve our understanding of the radiobiology of proton beam therapy. This will include modelling and characterisation of the treatment beam and be supported by 6-12 month placements at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre for familiarisation with experimental challenges and data taking for benchmarking purposes. The result of this work will then form the basis enhanced treatment planning models.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Timothy Greenshaw (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Selina Dhinsey (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/P006752/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2024 | |||
| 2021479 | Studentship | ST/P006752/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/12/2021 | Selina Dhinsey |
| Title | Automating the analysis of comet assay images using neural networks |
| Description | I have been creating a convolutional neural network architecture that uses a regional masks system to identify object in an image and successfully segment it. I have been able to achieve >90% accuracy in my segmentations with limited data (fewer than 100 images trained on). |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This model will speed up a currently very long and arduous process of identifying comets in an image. |
| Description | Radiobiology Collaboration in Liverpool |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Department | North West Cancer Research Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have been using comet assay images supplied by researchers in the North West Cancer research team. They perform the comet assays and obtain the images which I then use for analysis and training in my models. |
| Collaborator Contribution | I have been using comet assay images supplied by researchers in the North West Cancer research team. They perform the comet assays and obtain the images which I then use for analysis and training in my models. |
| Impact | This collaboration has resulted in me creating a model enabling the automatic analysis of assay images. This is a multi-disciplinary collaboration as I am in the physics department and I'm collaborating with the North West Cancer research centre. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Accelerators for Science Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The symposium was aimed at high school aged students to allow them to learn about and interact with scientific accelerators. I lead on a group of demonstrations which showed the research going within the LIV.DAT CDT. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://indico.cern.ch/event/798052/ |