Molecular aspects of radiation biology

Abstract

The application of molecular biology to radiobiology and radiation oncology has considerably improved our understanding of cellular radiation responses of both tumor and normal cells. With the current rapid developments in molecular and cellular biology a clear need exists to integrate this knowledge into basic and preclinical research in radiation oncology. Consequently, molecular radiation biology/oncology will thus provide tools to develop new strategies of individualized therapy and molecular targeting in modern radiation oncology, which eventually will result in the improvement of tumor responses and a reduction of normal tissue reactions. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.