title: Biologically weighted measurement of UV radiation in space and on Earth with the biofilm technique.
abstract: Biological dosimetry has provided experimental proof of the high sensitivity of the biologically effective UVB doses to changes in atmospheric ozone and has thereby confirmed the predictions from model calculations. The biological UV dosimeter 'biofilm' whose sensitivity is based on dried spores of B. subtilis as UV target weights the incident UV radiation according to its DNA damaging potential. Biofilm dosimetry was applicated in space experiments as well as in use in remote areas on Earth. Examples are long-term UV measurements in Antarctica, measurements of diurnal UV profiles parallel in time at different locations in Europe, continuous UV measurements in the frame of the German UV measurement network and personal UV dosimetry. In space biofilms were used to determine the biological efficiency of the extraterrestrial solar UV, to simulate the effects of decreasing ozone concentrations and to determine the interaction of UVB and vitamin D production of cosmonauts in the MIR station.
authors.affiliation: DLR, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology, Koln, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rettberg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horneck
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018441:Biofilms; D002648:Child; D004249:DNA Damage; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D010126:Ozone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011853:Radiobiology / Q000379:methods*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000528:radiation effects; D013472:Sunlight; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D010126:Ozone