Nuclear methods for the analysis of biological materials (1104)

home doc.dr. Sc. Ivančica Bogdanović Radović, zn. Counsellor

Ruđer Boskovic Institute

To adopt the physical principles and types of ionizing radiation that we encounter in nature and the ways by which this radiation interacts with matter. To understand how charged particle accelerators and nuclear analytical methods can be used to characterize biological samples and to understand the principle of operation of ion microprobes as a unique instrument that, in addition to analytical applications, is also suitable for investigating the influence of particle radiation not an individual living cell and the environment of that cell (bystander effect).

Ionising radiation. Electromagnetic radiation. Particle radiation. Alpha particles. Beta particles. Cosmic radiation. The interaction between radiation and matter. Radiation detection. Sources of radiation in nature. Man's exposure to radiation from natural sources. The ways in which radiation affects living cells. We can also produce radiation by using accelerators – sources of high-energy ions. Nuclear analytical methods used to characterise biological samples. Protons induced x-ray emissions. Rutherford's scattering backwards. The principle of operation of the ion microprobe. Studying individual cells using a focused bundle of ions from an ion microprobe. Scanning transmission ion microscopy. Methods of irradiation of individual cells.
The subject would also include a visit to the Laboratory for Ion Beam Interactions where students would be familiar with the accelerator and ion microprobecue, and attend a demonstration of one experiment to characterize biological samples.

1. Analyze the types of radiation that surround us in nature.
2. Explain the physical principles and ways in which radiation interacts with matter with matter with special emphasis on the effect on living cells.
3. Review the application of experimental methods of nuclear and atomic physics in the study of biological samples.
4. Apply research steps (from problem definition, sample preparation, microprobe imaging using METHODSPIXE and/or RBS, data processing and result interpretation) of the selected type of biological sample.

regular attendance with possible justified absence of up to 4 hours, regular attendance of exercises and research for the topic of seminars that will be individually assigned to each student
- attending exercises and holding seminars are mandatory

1. Zvonimir Jakobović: Iionizing Radiation and Man, School Book, Zagreb, 1991.
2. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Nuclear Microprobe Technology and Applications, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B210 (2003), Elsevier B.V., Netherlands
3. Tesmer and Nastasi, "Handbook of Modern Ion Beam Materials Analysis", Materials Research Society (1995)

1. Stephen Juma Mulware, Analysis of biological samples using a nuclear microprobe, PhD, University of Nort Texas, 2014, http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700099/m1/1/
2. Teresa Pinheiro, Maria Dolores Ynsa and Luís C. Alves, Imaging biological structures with a proton microprobe, Modern Research and Educational Topics in Microscopy, Formatex 2007
3. John Quaedackers: Elemental Analysis of Biological Tissues with a Proton Microprobe, Universiteitsdrukkerij Technischje Universiteit Eindhoven, 2001

- discussions with students and colleagues to verify the understanding of the information received and the intelligibility of the presentation method
- the success of the course will be evaluated annually by the joint expert committee of the Rudjer Boskovic Institute, the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Osijek