This article is focused on how ionising radiation in gamma rays and x-ray, which we are frequently exposed to can damage our DNA and cause cancer. Previously, the unfortunate thing is what has yet to be figured out is how tumors are actually cause by these harmful forms of radiation.
From the article it says, "Dr Peter Campbell from the Welcome Trust Sanger Institute who led the study, said: "To find out how radiation could cause cancer, we studied the genomes of cancers caused by radiation in comparison to tumours that arose spontaneously. By comparing the DNA sequences we found two mutational signatures for radiation damage that were independent of cancer type. We then checked the findings with prostate cancers that had or had not been exposed to radiation, and found the same two signatures again. These mutational signatures help us explain how high-energy radiation damages DNA.' "
Often times when DNA is damaged, a mutational signature is shown. Dr. Peter Campbell, through these signatures was then able to track the patterns of the growth of tumors and how radiation reacted to the further growth of cancer is patients.
One type of mutation found is a deletion in the DNA. Another is called balanced inversion. What this means is the DNA is cut in two places and the cut strand of DNA then spins and connects in an opposite orientation. This type of mutation does not occur naturally in the body but high-energy radiation could be strong enough to have this happen.
Of these mutations, Dr Sam Behjati, clinician researcher at the Sanger Institute and the Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, said: "Ionising radiation probably causes all types of mutational damage, but here we can see two specific types of damage and get a sense of what is happening to the DNA. Showers of radiation chop up the genome causing lots of damage simultaneously. This seems to overwhelm the DNA repair mechanism in the cell, leading to the DNA damage we see."
These mutations cause by radiation and the signatures they leave could provide insight into how these tumors would rapidly grow. By following the mutations and looking into the damages cause to the DNA scientists have been able to see the harmful affects of ionising radiation and the affects it has on the body and the risks of cancer it can cause.
-Chad Lords
I think this is quite interesting on how we still use harmful radiation even though it has harmful affects on us, such as cancer. This arises a question on my end, since scientists have been able to see the harmful affects of ionizing radiation, why do we still use these gamma rays and x-rays? Since these discoveries have been made, do you feel like once we fully understand why these tumors are being created from radiation that we could find a way to stop these radiation techniques and figure out another way to work medically with radiation, one that doesn't cause cancer? I ask this question because I fear that we could be creating more cancer than we are actually curing.
ReplyDelete-TK
I think this is interesting because there are a number of professions that are regularly exposed to these sorts of radiation, particularly X-rays (such as radiology techs and even dental hygenists). The question I ask is whether or not there has been any researching into reversing or preventing this damage alongside with studies like this? While understanding the why behind tumor formation is important, it does little good if we aren't also trying to find new ways to prevent this DNA damage that may cause tumor formation.
ReplyDelete-EF
From what I have found there are certain ways that you can prevent the damages from x-rays and iodizing radiation. One of which is polyphenois which is a molecule found in plants. What this molecule does is protect the gene expression. This will make it safer so that there is less DNA mutations due to iodizing radiation.
DeleteHave they done enough studies and experiments with this concept to confidently back up this theory? I am wondering because it seems that these effects may be easily prevented. I think it is an interesting topic, however.
ReplyDelete-CL