title: Biological dosimetry and action spectra.
abstract: In view of the current renewed interest in biological dosimeters, data obtained in the mid-1970s with the UV-sensitive Bacillus subtilis spore UVSSP both in natural sunlight in Rio de Janeiro and with defined monochromatic radiation is reproduced and reconsidered. The crucial issue of the correspondence of the wavelength dependence of the dosimeter response and the biological effect of interest is discussed with reference to end points such as cytotoxicity and melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer induction. The necessity of taking into account UVA as well as UVB effects in the overall biological effectiveness of sunlight is evaluated and discussed. Gene activation is proposed as a basis for developing sensitive biological markers that can differentiate between UVA and UVB effects and also be used to determine UV penetration into target tissue.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Epalinges, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D012621:Seasons; D016082:Solar System; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays