METHOD OF DETECTING RADIATION EXPOSURE AND ADVERSE TOXICITY THERETO

摘要

The present invention relates generally to an array of nucleic acid molecules, the nucleic acid expression profiles of which are indicative of cellular exposure to radiation, in particular ionizing radiation. In a related aspect, the present invention provides an array of nucleic acid molecules, the nucleic acid expression profiles of which are indicative of susceptibility to adverse radiation toxicity. More particularly, the methods of the present invention are directed to detecting genes, the expression levels or alternative splicing of which are indicators of exposure to radiation and/or susceptibility to adverse radiation toxicity. Accordingly, the present invention provides a valuable means of screening individuals to determine, inter alia, their inadvertent exposure to ionizing radiation or the predisposition of a patient to exhibit susceptibility to adverse radiation toxicity, thereby indicating that an alternative treatment regime should be pursued.