The Radiation Biology Laboratory is directed by John E. Moulder, PhD.
Currently, the primary focus of the Radiation Biology Lab is on developing methods to prevent, mitigate and treat radiation injuries. Such radiation injuries can occur from the radiation therapy that is used to treat cancer, from the total body irradiation that is used in preparation for bone marrow transplantation, and from the use of radiolabeled biologicals. Similar injuries could also be the result of radiation accidents, nuclear terrorism or deep-space exploration. Using rodent models we have found that several clinically-approved drugs (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers) can be used to mitigate and treat radiation-induced lung, renal, CNS, cardiac and skin injury. The use of these agents to treat radiation-induced renal injury in humans has now been proven and a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded trial of their ability to prevent radiation-induced lung renal injury is in progress at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
A secondary focus of the laboratory is on assessment of the risk of cancer induction from exposure to various types of electromagnetic fields and radiations, ranging from X-rays to mobile phones and power lines.