title: 'Vitamin D' biodosimeter: basic characteristics and potential applications.
abstract: The biologically important process of endogenous synthesis of vitamin D under UV solar irradiation is widespread in the biosphere and inherent to most animals and plants. A new method of biological dosimetry of UV radiation based on an in vitro model of vitamin D synthesis ('D-dosimeter') is discussed. Unlike the vast majority of biodosimeters, the action of which depends on the UV sensitivity of DNA and thus reflects damaging effects of UV radiation, the process of vitamin D synthesis is beneficial by its nature. To date, the complex network of photo- and thermoreactions of vitamin D synthesis in vitro is well understood, and an adequate mathematical model is available, ensuring a link between biological and physical units. Original spectral analysis of the multicomponent photoisomer mixture has been specially designed to provide the most effective use of the D-dosimeter in situ. Spectral selectivity (exceptional sensitivity of certain parameters to the spectral composition of UV radiation) extends the usefulness of the method.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine.
authors.forename: O N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Galkin
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Terenetskaya
mesh_terms: D008956:Models, Chemical; D010777:Photochemistry; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013472:Sunlight; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D