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This book is based on the Radiation Biology course jointly offered by the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Management, the Department of Bioengineering, the Graduate School of Engineering, and the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Tokyo and is primarily aimed at senior undergraduate and first-year master's students in the School of Engineering. It is designed to assist students in comprehending radiation biology, a comprehensive academic field encompassing physics, chemistry, and biology; it is also a topic of significant societal interest.
 
Radiation biology studies the effects, benefits, and mechanisms of ionizing radiation on living organisms, including the human body. The impetus for this book came from a student's inquiry: "How can we reconcile the statements “radiation causes cancer” and “radiation cures cancer”? The safe use of nuclear energy is based on protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Radiation therapy is one of the three mainstays of cancer treatment and is widely used in medical diagnosis. In both cases, radiation biology provides the fundamental basis for a scientific understanding of the importance and risks of radiation.
 
This book uniquely offers a multifaceted perspective on the effects of radiation, addressing both atomic and individual levels, while providing a consistent explanation of the fundamentals and applications of radiation biology. We have endeavored to articulate our ideas in a clear and accessible manner to facilitate understanding among students of physics, mechanical engineering, and systems science. Chapter 1 explains how to understand processes from the perspective of spatial and temporal axes, zooming from the microscopic to the macroscopic, while also providing an overview of radiation. Chapter 2 describes the interactions between radiation and matter as fundamental physical and chemical processes. Chapter 3 elucidates the effects of radiation on DNA, the nucleus, and cells as biochemical and biological processes, while Chapter 4 examines the effects at the tissue, organ, and individual levels, employing numerous figures and tables to convey the latest research trends. In contrast to conventional textbooks, the book omits biological, chemical, molecular biological, and medical explanations, directing readers to the references listed at the end of the book.
 
This book is part of the Nuclear Engineering section of the 500彩票网 Engineering Course Series. Nuclear engineering primarily evokes thoughts of electric power generation and energy. However, the scope of nuclear energy is significantly broader. Studying the interaction of radiation with matter, developing new radiation sources, and applying radiation to industry and medicine are all aspects of nuclear. This book will provide a genuine understanding of the potential applications and development of nuclear technology in other fields.
 

(Written by ISHIKAWA Kenichi, Professor, School of Engineering / 2024)