Get the Flash Player to see this rotator.

The normal and tumor primary cell cultures and cell lines, initiated and subcultured in the Radiotherapy, Radio- and Tumor Biology Laboratory, part of the research department of IOCN serve as in vitro models for the main research domains of the laboratory, as follows:
Radiobiology: study of molecular mechanisms and applications in cancer therapy; prediction of radiosensitivity of tumors and normal tissues using cytogenetic tests and biologic markers; modulation of the response to radiotherapy with biologic compounds; study of DNA lesions and chromosomal aberrations, induced by ionizing radiations in normal and tumor cells; study of carcinogenic effects of UV radiations; photodynamic therapy.
The biology of normal and tumoral cells: testing of antineoplastic agents (cytotoxic drugs, newly synthesized compounds etc); study of the antioxidant effects of natural products; identification of predictive molecular and cellular markers for the response to chemotherapy; evaluation of the pre-therapeutic chemosensitivity of the primary tumor cells; in vitro models for tissue engineering; carcinogenesis and methods of prevention; tumor angiogenesis; testing of new biomaterials ( nanoparticles, etc).
Stem cells research: alternative source for tissue therapy and regeneration (embrionic and adult stem cells); study of tumor stem cells.
Immunology: the effects of low-dose radiations on the immune system; modulation of the immune response in human neoplastic and inflammatory pathologies


RESEARCH SERVICES:
• Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) separation by density gradient
• Isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTC) from peripheral blood.
• Cell cultures – initiation of normal and tumor primary cell cultures and subcultivation of cell lines
• Cell cultures – isolation and characterisation of healthy and tumor stem cells
• Evaluation of cells response to cytotoxic agents (cytotoxicity tests and clonogenic assay);
• Genotoxicity assays - Evaluation of the DNA lesions and repair with Comet assay and chromosomal aberrations with Micronucleus assay;
• Evaluation of various molecules from serum, plasma, supernatants, cellular lysates or whole cells with ELISA
• Identification of molecules molecules from serum, plasma, supernatants, cellular lysates etc by Western-blot technique
• Determination of metalloenzimes or other proteins with zymographic method
• Determination of various products by spectrophotometry
• Absorbance, chemiluminescence and fluorescence spectroscopy assays;
• Fluorescence microscopy
• Electroporation of eukaryotic cells;
• Determination of oxidative stress induced products: carbonylated proteins and peroxidic lypids