Science in Underground Laboratories and DULIA-Bio

Ianni, Aldo

doi:10.3389/fphy.2021.612417

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Other interesting facilities where studies at extremely low-dose rates have been carried out are Deep Underground Laboratories (DULs) where dose rates are significantly lower than on the Earth’s surface. Although the main research activity in these infrastructures concerns the search for rare events in astroparticle physics and neutrino physics, DULs offer a unique opportunity to run experiments in astrobiology and biology in extreme environments (Ianni 2021 ) highlighting biological mechanisms impacted by differences in dose rates. The large majority of data have been collected so far in Italy at the Gran Sasso National laboratory (LNGS, AIR 2 , No.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiation dose rate effects: what is new and what is needed?

Lowe¹,

Roy

Tabocchini

et al. 2022

Radiat Environ Biophys

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Despite decades of research to understand the biological effects of ionising radiation, there is still much uncertainty over the role of dose rate. Motivated by a virtual workshop on the “Effects of spatial and temporal variation in dose delivery” organised in November 2020 by the Multidisciplinary Low Dose Initiative (MELODI), here, we review studies to date exploring dose rate effects, highlighting significant findings, recent advances and to provide perspective and recommendations for requirements and direction of future work. A comprehensive range of studies is considered, including molecular, cellular, animal, and human studies, with a focus on low linear-energy-transfer radiation exposure. Limits and advantages of each type of study are discussed, and a focus is made on future research needs.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiation dose rate effects: what is new and what is needed?

Lowe¹,

Roy

Tabocchini

et al. 2022

Radiat Environ Biophys

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“…This is one of the well-established coordinated efforts with other underground biology laboratories carried out during DULIA meetings, hosted by LSC (https://indico.cern.ch/event/436589) in 2015 and LNGS (https://agenda.infn.it/event/19116/) in 2019, to reach solid conclusions. A compilation of low background facilities, in comparison with underground labs worldwide, has been recently shown [4,20].…”

Section: Biology Laboratory Facilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this sense, several biological investigations have been carried out under low background radiation conditions taking advantage of the existence of deep underground laboratories (DULs). These DULs, traditionally used for astroparticle or nuclear physics purposes, have unique location features, shielding from cosmic radiation and reduction of natural radioactivity, which make them the ideal scenario for performing these radiobiological experiments [4,5]. In fact in recent years, research carried out in these DULs has expanded into new fields, such as biology or radiobiology experiments, demonstrating negative effects induced on the development of the tested organisms in response to the reduction of ionization radiation [6,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canfranc biology platform: exploring life in cosmic silence

Hernández-Antolín,

Cid-Barrio,

Peña-Garay

2024

Front. Phys.

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Deep underground laboratory infrastructures have extensively been used for exploring rare events, such as proton decay, dark matter searches or neutrino interactions, taking advantage of their large muon flux reduction. However, only very few investigations have evaluated the effects of low background radiation environments on living organisms. With this purpose, the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) launched the Biology Platform in 2021, which provides lab space for approved biology experiments. Two identical laboratories have been built (underground and on surface) to replicate biology experiments under the same conditions, with the main difference being the cosmic radiation background. The access protocol to use the LSC facilities includes two open calls per year and assigned time windows for executing the experimental program, which led to the first eight approved and already running experiments. We describe the scientific program of the Canfranc Biology Platform, which explores extremophiles, viral infection, immune system, multicellularity, development or aging in cosmic silence, and the first experimental results. The Platform also allows to observe the response of life to microgravity in absence of radiation, a key condition to explore life in space.

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“…It could mean new possibilities in terms of mine reuse in Europe. As recent experiences show, physics is not the only field of science that can be explored in underground laboratories [26]. A new area of research is connected with experiments in astrobiology and biology in extreme conditions [27], space research (planetary or lunar analogue environments) [28], underground food production [29,30], education [31], tourism [32] and the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly mining technologies [27].…”

Section: Underground Mines In Europe and Potential Ways Of Their Repu...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A new area of research is connected with experiments in astrobiology and biology in extreme conditions [27], space research (planetary or lunar analogue environments) [28], underground food production [29,30], education [31], tourism [32] and the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly mining technologies [27]. There are also multipurpose facilities that allow performing var- As recent experiences show, physics is not the only field of science that can be explored in underground laboratories [26]. A new area of research is connected with experiments in astrobiology and biology in extreme conditions [27], space research (planetary or lunar analogue environments) [28], underground food production [29,30], education [31], tourism [32] and the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly mining technologies [27].…”

Section: Underground Mines In Europe and Potential Ways Of Their Repu...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges Related to the Transformation of Post-Mining Underground Workings into Underground Laboratories

et al. 2023

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Underground mines are a vital part of the European raw material industry. The subsurface mining process is related to the large-scale development of underground structures like tunnels, chambers, workings, etc. These structures are abandoned or liquidated during the process of exploitation or after the termination of works. Still, due to the unique environment, post-mining facilities may be adopted for different purposes. There are few examples of implementations of this capacity in practical terms such as underground laboratories (ULs), energy storages, landfills of dangerous wastes, or food production plants. Unfortunately, the unique environment offered by underground space is also related to the occurrence of exceptional hazards, like seismicity and ground control problems, gases, floods, the lack of natural ventilation, and high temperatures. This results in low interest in investing in such facilities. Within this paper, some ways to repurpose underground mines have been presented, and possible challenges that need to be faced have been described. An extensive database of threats to post-mining repurposing and ways to mitigate them has been prepared based on surveys and interviews conducted with representatives of currently existing Uls and mining companies and a literature review. Finally, this manuscript provides a general look at post-mining infrastructure in Europe’s current situation and in the future.

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Science in Underground Laboratories and DULIA-Bio

Cited by 5 publications

References 19 publications

Radiation dose rate effects: what is new and what is needed?

Radiation dose rate effects: what is new and what is needed?

Canfranc biology platform: exploring life in cosmic silence

Challenges Related to the Transformation of Post-Mining Underground Workings into Underground Laboratories

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