The Experimental Radiation Core maintains and operates equipment and facilities to deliver ionizing radiation for research use. The core can deliver X- and γ-rays at a broad range of dose rates and radiation field sizes for a variety of purposes, such as irradiation of cell cultures, animal whole body irradiation, irradiation of animal tumor models or other (image guided) partial-body irradiation. In addition, the core has two strontium-90 sources for small-field superficial exposures with β-radiation.
Core Services
- Maintenance of radiation equipment and radiation dosimetry
- Assistance in design and development of new animal and cell culture radiation models
- Assistance and training in whole body or localized irradiation of animal models
- Assistance and training in radiation exposure of cell cultures
Equipment and Facilities
- Cesium source irradiator that can be used for animal whole body/partial body and cell culture exposures to γ-rays.
- Cesium source irradiator that can be used for chronic exposure of animals to low-dose rate γ-rays.
- Seifert Isovolt 320 X-ray generator. This X-ray machine can be used for localized irradiation.
- Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (SARRP, Xstrahl). This system incorporates cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging and radiation planning software to deliver precise X-ray beams to anatomical targets, similar to clinical radiation therapy.
- X-Rad 320 (Precision X-Ray). This is an X-ray cabinet for the irradiation of cell cultures and small animals.
- Strontium-90 β-sources. These sources can be used for irradiation of superficial targets such as skin while minimizing exposure of underlying tissues.
Pricing and Scheduling
- Cesium source irradiator: $125 per hour (with assistance from core staff)
- Cesium source irradiator (select trained users who do not need assistance from core staff): $85 per hour
- SARRP (operated by core staff only): $130 per hour
For scheduling, please contact either of the following:
Nukhet Aykin-Burns
NAykinburns@uams.edu
501-603-1375
Kim Krager
kjkrager@uams.edu
Marjan Boerma
mboerma@uams.edu
501-686-6599
SARRP
This irradiator incorporates CBCT imaging and radiation planning software to deliver precise X-ray beams to anatomical targets. The target can be exposed through a single beam, multiple beams, or arcs, matching clinical radiation therapy techniques.
Chronic irradiation facility
A chronic irradiation facility was built in 2018, using a cesium source that is capable of scattering radiation in all direction at pre-set dose rates. The configuration in the figure will lead to a dose rate of approximately 0.1 cGy/hour. Animals can be housed around the source and irradiated continuously for hours up to several months.