RADIATION STUDIES OF BIOMOLECULAR SYSTEMS
The interaction of radiation with bio-molecular systems is used to evaluate that with living organisms. This field of multidisciplinary research has attracted interest from the biosciences because it can be correlated with human mutations, pathologies and aging. Low doses of radiation can trigger cellular defenses toward stress, and measuring these effects is critical to our understanding of these basic processes in life sciences.
The study of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations by our group is focused on biomolecular systems containing three types of biomolecules: nucleosides, fatty acids and amino acids and their derivatives, which simulate the lipidome, proteome and genome of living organisms, respectively. These systems can be studied by analyzing the effect of ionizing radiation (60Co source) or photo-irradiation on under conditions that simulate events in the biological environment. The group has extensive experience in evaluating radical-based mechanisms by product characterization and using time-resolved methods for reactive intermediates that are important to our understanding the biological consequences of irradiation. Irradiation in water produces known quantities of hydroxyl radicals, solvated electrons and hydrogen atoms, thus furnishing the important kinetic and thermodynamic parameters that are needed to define competitive pathways, such as those obtained in a biological medium.
At present, the group is active in the following areas:
The reaction of eaq–, H• and/or HO• with nucleosides and oligonucleotides species, individuating transformation and mutation of natural nucleobases.
The reaction of reducing species (eaq– and/or H•) with sulfur-containing peptides/proteins and metal clusters, in particular liberating diffusible thiyl radical species and in parallel causing chemical mutation of natural amino acids.
Tandem radical damage involving protein and lipid domains combining protein desulfurization processes with lipid isomerization.
Photo-irradiation of liposome models and lipoproteins in correlation with the lipid biomarker study of free radical stress.
Model studies in biomimetic conditions on competitive isomerization/peroxidation processes and antioxidant efficiency in prevention and repair.
Reviews:
Purine 5',8-cyclo-2'-deoxynucleoside lesions in irradiated DNA
Chatgilialoglu, C.; Krokidis, M. G.; Papadopoulos, K.; Terzidis, M. A. Radiat. Phys. Chem. 2016, 128, 75–81.
Recent Publications:
Hippocampal lipidome and transcriptome profile alterations triggered by acute exposure of mice to GSM 1800 MHz mobile phone radiation: An exploratory study
Fragopoulou, A. F. ; Polyzos, A.; Papadopoulou, M.D.; Sansone, A.; Manta, A.K.; Balafas, E.; Kostomitsopoulos, N.; Skouroliakou, A.; Chatgilialoglu, C.; Georgakilas, A.; Stravopodis, D.J.; Ferreri, C.; Thanos, D.; Margaritis, L.H. Brain and Behavior 2018, 8, e01001.
Radiation chemical studies of Gly-Met-Gly in aqueous solution
Barata-Vallejo, S.; Ferreri, C.; Zhang, T.; Permentier, H.; Bischoff, R.; Bobrowski, K.; Chatgilialoglu, C. Free Radic. Res. 2016, 50, S24–S39.