| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/N510117/1 |
| Title: |
Development of a multipurpose small animal phantom for pre-clinical radiotherapy studies |
| Principal Investigator: |
Greenman, Professor J |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Biomedical Sciences |
| Organisation: |
University of Hull |
| Scheme: |
Technology Programme |
| Starts: |
01 April 2016 |
Ends: |
31 March 2019 |
Value (£): |
193,197
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
The initial aim of the project is to establish a commercial dosimetry service for pre-clinical radiobiology studies which will i)
improve the data and accuracy of experiments via provision of state of the art dosimetry, ii) reduce the total number of
animals used and iii) provide a novel 3D tissue-based platform for study of radiosensitizers.
This will be achieved through the development of standardized dosimetry protocols that will reduce dose uncertainties, and
the development of a multipurpose small animal phantom. A number of different irradiation units are currently employed
across the UK using their own dosimetry schedules, therefore as part of establishing the new service a comprehensive
audit of current practices will be undertaken. Due to the steep dose responses in radiation studies a 5% reduction in dose
uncertainty would roughly halve the number of animals required to achieve the same statistical relevance. The definition of
standards and quality assurance procedures for radiobiological studies will help regulate preclinical radiotherapy activities.
This will increase the confidence of clinical researchers and the funding bodies in such methods, as well as opening new
market opportunities for dosimetry services offered by the National Physics Laboratory (NPL). The proposed new
dosimetry service for pre-clinical imaging will scale-down established methodologies from the clinical to provide confidence
and accuracy for pre-clinical work, bringing the latter up to the same standard as the existing provision for patients. As a
major supplier of x-ray equipment, Xstrahl Ltd will benefit from an increase in radiobiological studies as the economic and
methodological barriers to entry are lowered.
A unique type of phantom will also be developed that is capable of housing a bespoke microfluidic device, containing a
tissue biopsy that will offer an alternative in vivo-like option for radiation-drug synergistic studies. The phantom will contain
tissues slices, e.g. 4mm x 4mm x 0.2mm from xenograft models or human biopsies and these can then be used to
measure the effects of irradiation with or without drugs, under precisely controlled conditions. Furthermore these tissue studies will incorporate all the improved dosimetry measurements thus significantly improving the experimental accuracy.
The project addresses issues identified by research organisations, funding bodies and the clinical community and opens up
new business opportunities for NPL, improvements in technology for Xstrahl Ltd and licensing or spin-out options for the
University of Hull.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.hull.ac.uk |