Annual Report - Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

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AFRRIArmed Forces Radiobiology Research InstituteIt is imperative that the military and the larger medical community, indeed, the nation, be prepared for the threatof nuclear or radiological attack. A component of USU, the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute(AFRRI) provides unique expertise and capabilities in the field of radiation biology. Researchers there are workingon novel assessment and treatment technologies to protect both military and civilian populations.EXPOSURE LEVELS AND HEALTH RISKSA nuclear or radiological attack could result inmass casualties and would likely cause a range ofacute and long-term health consequences. Researchconducted at AFRRI is improving the ability to rapidlyassess an individual’s exposure to radiation.Scientists at AFRRI are creating new approaches toclassical biodosimetry, which is based on cytogeneticdamage, for casualty triagesoon after exposure. One areaof study focuses on developingdose-assessment assays that usetransportable equipment to testeasily obtained samples, such ashair, fingernails, urine or a dropof blood. Utilizing innovativeapproaches, they are also improvingthe accuracy, dose range, ease ofuse and speed of biodosimetry.To ensure the health of our service members, AFRRIscientists established a new approach to assessingthe potential health effects of militarily relevantmetals that may become embedded as shrapnel.Researchers evaluate the acute and long-term healthrisks of metals, such as depleted uranium and tungstenalloys, and explore potential treatments for anyadverse effects.ExpertiseMEASURES TO COMBAT RADIATION EXPOSUREAFRRI scientists provide research resultsand expertise to the U.S. Government andthe DoD in the field of radiation biologyand help inform and develop policies andnational response plans. For example, incollaborations with the international scientificcommunity, AFRRI acts as a catalyst topublish medical and technical informationbased on data from nuclear accidents andincidents in other countries. Such informationcan be used to direct rescue operations,including those resulting from terrorist actionsor industrial nuclear accidents.28Researchers are also investigating treatmentoptions to protect both service members andcivilians in a variety of radiation exposurescenarios. Using their understanding of themechanisms of radiation damage, AFRRIscientists are pursuing new and improvedpharmacological approaches to preventthe health-degrading and potentiallylife-threatening effects of ionizing radiation.Making use of novel cellular and molecularapproaches and complex physiologicalsystems, the researchers are working tomove these potentially life-saving drugs fromdiscovery through the FDA approval process.
PROVIDING EDUCATION ON MEDICAL EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATIONAFRRI’s Military Medical Operations departmentsupports the U.S. Armed Services by providingmedical and operational personnel with up-to-dateinformation concerning the biomedical consequencesof radiation exposure, how the effectscan be reduced and how to manage casualties.At the Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiationcourse, students receive a unique education on thehazards of ionizing radiation, radiation pathology,human exposure resulting from radiation accidents,consequences of nuclear weapons detonation andnuclear accident response by government organizations.They also hold an annual scientific updatesmeeting to share the most recent findings in the fieldwith military and civilian personnel, health careproviders and operational planners.The Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation courseis the most comprehensive training available onthis topic, and is the only graduate-level coursein the DoD for training health care professionalsin the management of uncontrolled ionizingradiation exposure.UNIQUE RESEARCH FACILITIESAFRRI’s specialized researchfacilities and resources—designedspecifically for small-scale researchpurposes—provide scientists with avariety of radiations, energies anddose rates. This enables researchersto conduct targeted research onthe effects of ionizing radiation,and allows them to simulate fieldconditions and determine the effectsof combined injuries. Its mediumsizedresearch reactor, high-energyirradiation facility and low-level irradiationfacility are licensed by theNuclear Regulatory Commission.AFRRI has a teamof scientists ready todeploy in case of anuclear event. They aresubject matter expertson how to managecasualties in suchsituations.29
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Page 4 and 5: A HISTORY OF SUCCESSThe American mi
Page 6 and 7: SCHOOL OF MEDICINEUSU’s F. Edward
Page 8 and 9: GRADUATE PROGRAMSGraduate education
Page 10 and 11: Graduate School of NursingThe USU G
Page 12 and 13: Field ExercisesAs part of their edu
Page 14 and 15: leadershipUSU creates scientists an
Page 16 and 17: FACULTYUSU’s distinguished facult
Page 18 and 19: university LifeCAMPUS LIFEIn many w
Page 20 and 21: Year In ReviewRESEARCH WEEKThrougho
Page 22 and 23: Year In ReviewFIGHTING FOR LIFEUSU
Page 24 and 25: ReadinessMilitary readiness require
Page 26 and 27: ResearchIn addition to providing wo
Page 28 and 29: EXPLORING RADIATION RESISTANCERadia
Page 32 and 33: CourageCenter for Disaster and Huma
Page 34 and 35: Looking AheadU.S. academic medicine
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Annual Report - Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

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