Time-resolved study of early radiation response

The early steps of radiation response in the three rodent or human cultured cell lines were investigated using a linear electron accelerator operated in a slit-dose mode. The results show that pulse exposure to relatively weak doses of low-LET radiation brings about altered susceptibility to radiation evolving synchronously over extended periods of time. This process was named W-effect from the shape of its time-dependent profile, as revealed upon exposure to the probing dose of radiation. The method may allow dissecting the early steps of the bulk cell response to radiation. (N.C.)