Exposure to high doses of radiation in a short time-period can cause severe and potentially fatal acute injuries as well as serious delayed effects from the acute exposure, including intestinal failure and death of bone-marrow stem cells. Radiation-induced immune dysfunction (RIID) is a major contributor to both acute and delayed effects of acute radiation exposure (DEARE).

Chandan Guha, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., has received a five-year, $2.9 million National Institutes of Health grant to study how the bone marrow and other components of the immune system of mice regenerate following whole body irradiation. Dr. Guha will also determine whether radiation-induced T-cell immunosenescence and dysfunction of myeloid cells (a subgroup of leukocytes that includes monocytes and macrophages) contributes to DEARE. The goal of the research is to develop strategies for restoring immunocompetence in radiation survivors as well as for the elderly and other immunocompromised individuals.

Dr. Guha is professor and vice chair of radiation oncology at Einstein and Montefiore, professor of urology and of pathology at Einstein, and associate director of innovation/tech at Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center. (1U01AI170032-01)