Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to investigate the FLASH effect in protontherapy
Scope of the method
The Method relates to
- Human health
The Method is situated in
- Basic Research
- Education and training
- Translational - Applied Research
Type of method
- In vivo
Used species
Caenorhabditis elegans
Description
Method keywords
- Caenorhabditis elegans
- C. elegans
- Radiotherapy
Scientific area keywords
- Cancer therapy
- Protontherapy
- FLASH
Method description
UHDR irradiations show healthy tissue sparing effect known as the FLASH effect. Since 2014, the FLASH effect is investigated worldwide to understand how it works and how to trigger it. The FLASH effect is defined as an in vivo effect. However, in vivo models are often expensive and time-consuming. There-fore, we wanted to use a simple, easy to manipulate but still relevant in vivo model. C. elegans was selected because of the extensive available literature and its ease of maintenance. After irradiation of C. elegans embryos, a growth delay can be observed on surviving worms.
Lab equipment
- - Irradiation set-up (protons, XR, electrons, etc.),
- - Basic biology lab equipment.
Method status
- Still in development
Pros, cons & Future potential
Advantages
- - Easy to manipulate
- - Small in vivo
Contact person
Lucas SchoenauenOrganisations
Université de Namur (UNamur)Physics
Belgium
