Using Process Algebra to Model Radiation Induced Bystander Effects

Rachel Lintott1, Stephen McMahon2, Kevin Prise2, Celine Addie-Lagorio1 and Carron Shankland1

1 - Computing Science and Mathematics, University of Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK
2 - Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, B79 7BL, UK

Abstract

Radiation induced bystander effects are secondary effects caused by the production of chemical signals by cells in response to radiation. We present a Bio-PEPA model which builds on previous modelling work in this field to predict: the surviving fraction of cells in response to radiation, the relative proportion of cell death caused by bystander signalling, the risk of non-lethal damage and the probability of observing bystander signalling for a given dose. This work provides the foundation for modelling bystander effects caused by biologically realistic dose distributions, with implications for cancer therapies.

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