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Geometrical structures for radiation biology research as implemented in the TOPAS-nBio toolkit

Journal Article · · Physics in Medicine and Biology (Online)
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1];  [4];  [4];  [5];  [6];  [7];  [7];  [8];  [2];  [1];  [1]
  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (United States). Department of Radiation Oncology
  2. University of California San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA (United States)
  3. SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
  4. Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (Mexico). Department of Mathematics and Physics Sciences
  5. Univ. of Manchester (United Kingdom). Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
  6. Univ. of Manchester (United Kingdom). Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester (United Kingdom)
  7. IRSN, Institut de Radioprotection et de Shat ureté Nucléaire, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France)
  8. Université Bordeaux, CNRS/IN2P3, Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux Gradignan, CENBG, Chemin du Solarium, Gradignan (France)

Computational simulations, such as Monte Carlo track structure simulations, offer a powerful tool for quantitatively investigating radiation interactions within cells. Additionally, the modelling of the spatial distribution of energy deposition events as well as diffusion of chemical free radical species, within realistic biological geometries, can help provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of radiation on cells. Track structure simulations, however, generally require advanced computing skills to implement. The TOPAS-nBio toolkit, an extension to TOPAS (TOol for PArticle Simulation), aims to provide users with a comprehensive framework for radiobiology simulations, without the need for advanced computing skills. This includes providing users with an extensive library of advanced, realistic, biological geometries ranging from the micrometer scale (e.g. cells and organelles) down to the nanometer scale (e.g. DNA molecules and proteins). Finally, were we present the geometries available in TOPAS-nBio.

Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515
OSTI ID:
1475422
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 22963131
Journal Information:
Physics in Medicine and Biology (Online), Journal Name: Physics in Medicine and Biology (Online) Journal Issue: 17 Vol. 63; ISSN 1361-6560
Publisher:
IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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