Predictive Genomics: A Post-genomic Integrated Approach to Analyse Biological Signatures of Radiation Exposure

Manikandan Jayapal; Swaminathan Sethu; Dimphy Zeegers; Birendranath Banerjee; M. Prakash Hande

doi:10.14429/dsj.61.833

Manikandan Jayapal National University of Singapore, Singapore
Swaminathan Sethu National University of Singapore, Singapore
Dimphy Zeegers National University of Singapore, Singapore
Birendranath Banerjee KIIT University, Bhubaneswar
M. Prakash Hande National University of Singapore, Singapore

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.833

Keywords: Biomarkers, ionising radiation, genomics, microarray, genomic integration, biodosimetry, predictive genomics, radiation research, genomic signatures, transcriptomic analysis

Abstract

The ultimate objective of radiation research is to link human diseases with the altered gene expression that underlie them and the exposure type and level that caused them. However, this has remained a daunting task for radiation biologists to indent genomic signatures of radiation exposures. Transcriptomic analysis of the cells can reveal the biochemical or biological mechanisms affected by radiation exposures. Predictive genomics has revolutionised how researchers can study the molecular basis of adverse effects of exposure to ionising radiation. It is expected that the new field will find efficient and high-throughput means to delineate mechanisms of action, risk assessment, identify and understand basic mechanisms that are critical to disease progression, and predict dose levels of radiation exposure. Previously, we have shown that cells responding to environmental toxicants through biological networks that are engaged in the regulation of molecular functions such as DNA repair and oxidative stress. To illustrate radiation genomics as an effective tool in biological dosimetry, an overview has been provided of some of the current radiation genomics landscapes as well as potential future systems to integrate the results of radiation response profiling across multiple biological levels in to a broad consensus picture. Predictive genomics represents a promising approach to high-throughput radiation biodosimetry.

Defence Science Journal, 2011, 61(2), pp.133-137, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.833

Author Biographies

Manikandan Jayapal, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Mr Manikandan Jayapal obtained his PhD on Mast Cell Genomics from the School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Previously, he was a Research Fellow in the Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, NUS from 2002-2009. His current research is focused on the biomarker analysis using Next Generation Sequencing analysis, RNA interference, micro RNAs and other cutting-edge molecular biotechniques in the fields of cancer, immunology and neurobiology.

Swaminathan Sethu, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Dr Swaminathan Sethu received his PhD from National University of Singapore, Singapore, for his work on inflammatory roles of Sphingosine kinase and Phospholipase D, and carried out postdoctoral studies on the telomerase inhibition in the management of cancer. Currently, he is Research Fellow at Genome Stability Laboratory, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, NUS, Singapore. His current research is to study the effects of low doses of different types of radiations on normal human cells to assess and predict the potential long and short term health risks in humans.

Dimphy Zeegers, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Ms Dimphy Zeegers received her Master's degree from the Utrecht University in the Netherlands with specialisation in cancer genomics. She is currently working as a Research Assistant at the Genome Stability Laboratory, Department of Physiology, NUS, Singapore.

Birendranath Banerjee, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar

Dr Birendranath Banerjee received his PhD from SVYASA University and Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru in the field of Radiation Biology and cancer. He did part of his Doctoral work and Post-doctoral work at National University of Singapore (NUS). He is currently an Assistant Professor at the School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India. His research interest includes Stress-induced DNA damage response and molecular cytogenetics.

M. Prakash Hande, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Dr M. Prakash Hande obtained his PhD in Radiobiology in 1991 from the Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He was a Post-doctoral Fellow in the Department of Radiation Genetics and Chemical Mutagenesis, at the then Sylvius Laboratories, Leiden University, The Netherlands, during 1994-1997. He then took up the post-doctoral scientist position at the Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada, to work in the field of Telomere Biology. He has established the fact that DNA damage response and repair proteins are involved in telomere maintenance mechanisms in mammalian cells. Currently, his research is focused on the following: DNA repair factors and telomeres, oxidative damage and telomeres, experimental therapeutics-with special emphasis on telomerase inhibition in cancer cells, toxicogenomics-biological response markers of exposure to environmental pollutants including radiation.