The application and impact of gamma and beta rays in biological research irradiation

introduction

In biological research, irradiation technology, as an important experimental method, is widely used in multiple fields such as genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, and medicine. Among them, gamma (gamma) rays and beta (beta) rays have become an indispensable part of irradiation technology due to their unique physical properties and biological effects. This article aims to explore the current application status, mechanisms, impacts, and future development trends of gamma rays and beta rays in biological research irradiation.



The basic characteristics of gamma rays and beta rays

gamma ray 

Gamma Ray, also known as gamma particle flow, is an electromagnetic wave radiation with extremely short wavelengths, extremely high frequencies, and energy greater than 124 keV. It is released during the de excitation of nuclear energy level transitions and has strong penetration ability, making it easy to penetrate various materials including concrete, steel, and human tissue. Gamma rays were first discovered by French physicist P V. Villard discovered the radiation of radium element and officially named it gamma ray by Rutherford in 1903.

BETA Ray 

Beta Ray, also known as beta particle flow, is mainly composed of high-speed moving electrons with a unit negative charge and a very small mass, about 1/7360 of alpha particles. Unlike gamma rays, beta rays have a strong ionization effect but relatively weak penetration ability. It mainly affects living organisms through ionization, excitation, scattering, and bremsstrahlung with substances.


The application of gamma rays in biological research irradiation

Genetic research

In genetics, gamma rays are often used as mutagens to study gene function and genetic patterns by inducing gene mutations. The strong penetration and high energy of gamma rays can directly act on DNA molecules, causing the replacement, insertion, or deletion of base pairs, leading to gene mutations. These mutations can be point mutations, chromosomal structural variations, or chromosomal number variations, providing important means for studying the relationship between genes and phenotypes.

Cell biology research

In the field of cell biology, gamma rays are widely used in research on cell apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and tumor biology. Gamma rays can damage the DNA of cells, activate a series of cellular stress responses, including DNA damage repair, cell cycle arrest, and cell apoptosis. By observing and analyzing these reaction processes, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of the basic biological characteristics of cells and the molecular mechanisms underlying disease occurrence and development.

Medical applications

In the field of medicine, gamma rays are widely used in radiation therapy and medical imaging. Radiation therapy utilizes the ionizing radiation of gamma rays to destroy the DNA structure of tumor cells, thereby achieving the goal of killing tumor cells. In terms of medical imaging, gamma rays are mainly used in techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT). By detecting the absorption and scattering of gamma rays by human tissues, high-resolution images are generated, providing important basis for disease diagnosis and treatment.

The application of beta rays in biological research irradiation

Molecular Biology Research

In molecular biology research, beta rays are often used in experiments such as DNA sequence analysis and protein labeling. By labeling radioactive isotopes (such as ³ ² P) onto specific sites of DNA or proteins, and then using beta rays for radiation decomposition, precise detection and localization of these molecules can be achieved. This method not only has the characteristics of high sensitivity and resolution, but also provides important technical support for molecular biology research.


Tumor Biology Research

Similar to gamma rays, beta rays also have certain anti-tumor effects. Although its penetration ability is relatively weak, it can still have a killing effect on tumor cells under specific conditions. In addition, beta rays can also trigger a series of signal transduction processes by binding to receptors on the surface of tumor cells, affecting the growth and differentiation of tumor cells. Therefore, beta rays also have certain potential applications in tumor biology research.

Radiation biology research

Radiation biology is a discipline that studies the effects of radiation on living organisms. Beta radiation, as one of the common radiation sources, plays an important role in radiation biology research. By observing and analyzing the process and biological effects of beta rays on organisms, such as DNA damage, cell apoptosis, gene mutations, etc., scientists can gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and protective measures of radiation on organisms.

The Effects of Gamma Ray and Beta Ray on Organisms

DNA damage

Both gamma rays and beta rays can cause damage to the DNA of living organisms. Gamma rays, due to their strong penetration and high-energy characteristics, can directly act on DNA molecules and cause mutations such as base pair replacement, insertion, or deletion. Beta rays, on the other hand, mainly disrupt the structural stability of DNA molecules through ionization. If these DNA damages are not repaired in a timely manner or repaired incorrectly, they will lead to abnormal gene expression, cellular dysfunction, and even death.

Apoptosis and cell cycle regulation

Gamma rays and beta rays can also affect the normal physiological processes of organisms by inducing cell apoptosis and regulating the cell cycle. Gamma rays can activate a series of cellular stress responses, including DNA damage repair, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis; Beta radiation may regulate the cell cycle and apoptosis process by affecting intracellular signaling pathways.