Radiation tissue biology with microbeams and tissue cultures as an interface of health physics and radiobiology

Tissue is a complex system with a highly dynamic structure to maintain a stable internal environment. The homeostatic mechanisms could be involved in radiation-induced effects at the tissue level. Also, tissue-weighting factors have been regarded as an essential index for the guideline released from the International Committee on Radiological Protection. Thus, for both radiobiology and health physics, it is important to understand radiation-induced tissue-level responses. The applications of microbeams and tissue cultures illustrated in this article focus on their relevance to radiation tissue biology that provides a novel approach for greater accuracy in nsk assessment of radiation exposure. We review on recent progress in both microbeams and tissue cultures, which is promising for providing novel insights into radiation tissue biology. In addition, we present the use of ex vivo mouse testicular tissue culture as an experimental model of spermatogenesis to investigate radiobiological effects with microbeams. Our model represents a unique application in the field, with significant potential for deeper mechanistic insight into radiation-induced tissue-level effects and appropriate radiological protection.