Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute

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Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute

The Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) research institute that focuses on the biological effects of ionizing radiation and the development of medical countermeasures to radiation exposure. AFRRI is part of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) and is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

History

AFRRI was established in 1961 in response to the growing need for research on the effects of radiation on military personnel. The institute was created to provide the DoD with the capability to conduct research on the biological effects of radiation and to develop medical countermeasures to protect military personnel from radiation exposure.

Mission

The mission of AFRRI is to:

• Conduct research to understand the biological effects of ionizing radiation.
• Develop medical countermeasures to protect and treat military personnel exposed to radiation.
• Provide education and training on radiation biology and medical countermeasures.
• Support military operations and readiness through research and development.

Research Areas

AFRRI conducts research in several key areas, including:

• Radiation biology: Studying the effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms at the molecular, cellular, and whole-body levels.
• Radiation dosimetry: Measuring and assessing radiation exposure and dose.
• Radiation protection: Developing strategies and technologies to protect individuals from radiation exposure.
• Medical countermeasures: Developing drugs, therapies, and other interventions to mitigate the effects of radiation exposure.

Facilities

AFRRI is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to support its research mission, including:

• Radiation sources: Various types of radiation sources, including gamma, neutron, and X-ray, for conducting experiments.
• Laboratories: Specialized laboratories for molecular biology, cellular biology, and animal studies.
• Dosimetry and imaging: Advanced dosimetry and imaging equipment to measure and visualize radiation effects.

Education and Training

AFRRI provides education and training programs for military and civilian personnel on radiation biology, radiation protection, and medical countermeasures. These programs include:

• Courses and workshops: Offering courses and workshops on various aspects of radiation biology and protection.
• Fellowships and internships: Providing opportunities for students and researchers to gain hands-on experience in radiation research.

Collaborations

AFRRI collaborates with various organizations, including other DoD agencies, academic institutions, and international partners, to advance its research and development efforts. These collaborations help to leverage expertise and resources to address complex challenges related to radiation exposure and protection.

See also

• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• Ionizing radiation
• Radiation protection
• Radiation dosimetry
• Medical countermeasures