Department of Radiation research on biological systems
Research in the department of Radiation research on biological systems focuses on understanding the interaction of long-lived radionuclides with biosystems. We are interested in the various levels from biomolecules to individual organisms and complex biocoenoses. On the one hand, the aim is to understand the influence of biological systems on the behavior of radionuclides in the environment (release, mobility and bioavailability). On the other hand, we investigate the effects of radionuclides on the metabolism of cells and the whole organism (uptake, accumulation, chemo- and radiotoxicity) and the resulting dangers for us humans.
Using state-of-the-art molecular biological, spectroscopic and microscopic methods, we work in the fields of repository research to improve the long-term safety of a repository for high-level radioactive waste and radioecology to protect humans and the environment from the dangers of naturally and artificially released radionuclides.
In addition to basic research, our aim is to use the knowledge gained to develop innovative remediation methods and improve models to describe the behavior of radionuclides in the environment.
Interested in working with us?
To support our work, we are always looking for students and interns from the fields of biology, chemistry and environmental sciences who either want to write their thesis with us or simply gain practical experience. Are you interested? Then please get in touch to clarify any questions you may have.
Current research topics
- Determination of the microbial diversity in water and soil environments contaminated with heavy metals and radionuclides as well as in different host rocks for potential radioactive waste disposals
- Microbe-radionuclide-interactions with reference strains and isolates
- Interaction of eukaryotic cells with radionuclides and lanthanides in particular with plants, fungi, sponges and algae
- Investigation of the interaction of selected bioligands and model compounds with f-elements
- Characterization of microbial processes affecting the conditions in deep geological repositories for radioactive waste (e.g. transformation of bentonite as barrier material)
- Calculation and determination of the metal speciation relevant to the environment
- Verification and validation of transport models
- Characterization of particles in the environment relevant to the transport of radionuclides
- Investigation of the transport processes of radionuclides by particles (including microbes) in natural water
Latest Publication
Targeted bismuth-based materials for cancer
Batool, A.; Kopp, I.; Kubeil, M.; Bachmann, M.; Andrews, P.; Stephan, H.
Abstract
The use of bismuth and its compounds in biomedicine has developed rapidly in recent years. Due to their unique properties, there are great opportunities for the development of new non-invasive strategies for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of cancers. This perspective highlights key fabrication methods to generate well-defined and clinically relevant bismuth materials of varying characteristics. On the one hand, this opens up a wide range of possibilities for unimodal and multimodal imaging. On the other hand, for effective treatment strategies, which are increasingly based on combinatorial therapies, are given a great deal of attention. One of the biggest challenges remains the selective tumour targeting, whether active or passive. Here we present an overview on new developments of bismuth based materials moving forward from a simple enrichment at the tumour site via uptake by the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) to a more active tumour specific targeting via covalent modification with tumour-seeking molecules based on either small or antibody-derived molecules.
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Dalton Transactions 54(2025), 5614-5639
DOI: 10.1039/D5DT00163C
Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-41023
Projects
- RadoNorm: Towards effective radiation protection based on improved scientific evidence and social considerations - focus on radon and NORM, EC project, grant number: 900009, duration: 01.09.2020-31.08.2025
- EURAD-MAGIC, NEA/EU project, grant number: 847593, duration: 01.06.2019-31.05.2024
- EURAD-ConCorD, NEA/EU project, grant number: 847593, duration: 01.06.2021-31.05.2024
- RENA/BMBF project, grant number: 02NUK066A, duration: 01.09.2021-31.08.2024
- PepTight/BMBF project, grant number: 031B1122A, duration: 01.09.2021-31.08.2024
- TRAVARIS/BMBF project, grant number: 15S9437C, duration: 01.11.2022-30.04.2026
- UMB-II/BMWi project, grant number: 02E11870B, duration: 01.01.2021-30.06.2025
- PIANOFORTE/EU project, grant number: 101061037, duration: 01.06.2022-31.05.2027
An overview of completed projects can be found here.
Latest publication
Targeted bismuth-based materials for cancer
Batool, A.; Kopp, I.; Kubeil, M.; Bachmann, M.; Andrews, P.; Stephan, H.
Abstract
The use of bismuth and its compounds in biomedicine has developed rapidly in recent years. Due to their unique properties, there are great opportunities for the development of new non-invasive strategies for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of cancers. This perspective highlights key fabrication methods to generate well-defined and clinically relevant bismuth materials of varying characteristics. On the one hand, this opens up a wide range of possibilities for unimodal and multimodal imaging. On the other hand, for effective treatment strategies, which are increasingly based on combinatorial therapies, are given a great deal of attention. One of the biggest challenges remains the selective tumour targeting, whether active or passive. Here we present an overview on new developments of bismuth based materials moving forward from a simple enrichment at the tumour site via uptake by the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) to a more active tumour specific targeting via covalent modification with tumour-seeking molecules based on either small or antibody-derived molecules.
-
Dalton Transactions 54(2025), 5614-5639
DOI: 10.1039/D5DT00163C
Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-41023
Team
Head | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Manja Kubeil | 801/P127 | 2006 | m.kubeil![]() | ||
Employees | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Björn Drobot | 801/P317 | 2895 | b.drobot![]() | ||
Deep Biosphere | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Andrea Cherkouk | 801/P356 | 2989 | a.cherkouk![]() | ||
Sindy Kluge | 801/P219 | 3194 | s.kluge![]() | ||
Dr. Nicole Matschiavelli | 801/P318 | 2759 | n.matschiavelli![]() | ||
Dr. Ting-Shyang Wei | 801/P318 | 2759 | t.wei![]() | ||
Terrestical Microbiology | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Johannes Raff | 801/P314 | 2951 | j.raff![]() | ||
Rahel Bertheau | 801/P354 | 3138 | |||
Dr. Alix Günther | 801/P256 | 2433 2522 | a.guenther![]() | ||
Dr. Evelyn Krawczyk-Bärsch | 801/P252 | 2076 | e.krawczyk-baersch![]() | ||
Antonio Newman Portela | 801/P103 | 2720 | a.newman-portela![]() | ||
Plants and Rhizosphere | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Susanne Sachs | 801/P208 | 2436 | s.sachs![]() | ||
Raul Eduardo Linares Jimenez | 801/P103 | 2457 | r.linares-jimenez![]() | ||
Julia Marie Mätzkow | 801/P306 | 2860 | j.maetzkow![]() | ||
Dr. Henry Moll | 801/P256 | 2433 2549 | h.moll![]() | ||
Jana Seibt | 801/P219 | 3194 2510 | j.seibt![]() | ||
Spectroscopy and Speciation of f-elements | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Robin Steudtner | 801/P317 | 2895 | r.steudtner![]() | ||
Katrin Flemming | 801/P309 | 2958 | k.flemming![]() | ||
Max Klotzsche | 801/P306 | 3241 | m.klotzsche![]() | ||
Lukas Waurick | 801/P306 | 3241 | l.waurick![]() |