WHO 1st Consultation on the Development of a Global Biodosimetry Laboratories Network for Radiation Emergencies (BioDoseNet)

RENEB intercomparison exercises analyzing micronuclei (Cytokinesis-block Micronucleus Assay)

“…In the case of large scale accidents, involving thousands of victims, the capacity of a single biological dosimetry laboratory would be insufficient and the availability of a network of biodosimetry laboratories would be an important element to ensure the implementation of adequate emergency response strategies Blakely et al 2009). The aim of the RENEB (Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry) project was to establish such a network of European laboratories that can ensure a harmonized performance of five biological dosimetry assays (the dicentric chromosome assay; the FISHtranslocation assay; the micronucleus assay; the premature chromosome condensation assay; the gamma-H2AX assay) and two physical retrospective assays (electron paramagnetic resonance and optically stimulated luminescence) for individual dose assessment.…”

Laboratory Intercomparison of the Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus Assay

“…In the case of a large-scale radiation accident, a single cytogenetic laboratory would be quickly overwhelmed by the large number of samples. Therefore, several biodosimetry networks have been established on a national (5, 6), international (7-9) and global level (10)(11)(12) to be better prepared to manage a high sample throughput. One important lesson gained from international intercomparison studies with the most validated biodosimetry method, the dicentric chromosome assay, is the need to harmonize and standardize the method among different laboratories to get comparable data.…”

RENEB – Running the European Network of biological dosimetry and physical retrospective dosimetry

“…It should also be stressed that several partners are actively involved in quality assurance activities such as developing standards for biological and physical-retrospective dosimetry for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (Voisin et al 2002;Roy et al 2012;ISO 19238 2004;ISO 21243 2008;ISO 13304 2013;ISO 17099 2014) and this ensures high quality standards and quality management within the network. Three of the partners (BfS, IRSN, HPA) had experience in networking within the tri-partite memorandum of understanding for mutual assistance in case of a serious radiological event (but restricted to the related countries) and several of the 23 partners were involved in the biological network of the WHO, BioDoseNet (Blakely et al 2009). Additionally, many of the laboratories were involved in education and training activities, such as intercomparisons, laboratory staff training or exchange initiatives.…”

“…However, this European agreement applied only for serious radiological events in these three countries and, with only one laboratory per country, the total capacity was also extremely limited. On a global level, the World Health Organization (WHO) BioDoseNet was set up (Blakely et al 2009) and IAEA also includes biodosimetry laboratories in its Response and Assistance Network (RANET) (IAEA 2013). Currently, the best methods of biological dosimetry are based on the analysis of chromosomal damage (dicentric chromosomes, micronuclei and translocations) in peripheral blood lymphocytes and electron paramagnetic resonance in bone and tooth enamel (Lloyd et al 2000;IAEA 2002IAEA , 2011Blakely et al 2005;Fattibene & Wojcik 2009;Romm et al 2009;Willems et al 2010;Ainsbury et al 2011;Beinke et al 2013;Wojcik et al 2014).…”