Session

Overview: There is a growing interest in the radiotherapy community in utilizing high LET radiation due to its ability to induce complex DNA damage, especially double strand breaks (DSB), and consequently more efficiently kill tumor cells. However, what exactly the definition of “complex DSB” is and how it translates into an increased cell kill remains to be further elucidated. In this session both the modelling approach as well as experimental data will be presented that bring us closer to answering those questions, by adding to our understanding of the generation of complex DSBs and their interplay with the cell genetic background and DBS repair mechanisms. Future directions for translating these fundamental insights into an increased radiotherapy efficacy will be highlighted in the last talk of the session.