RENEB intercomparison exercises analyzing micronuclei (Cytokinesis-block Micronucleus Assay).
In the framework of the 'Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry' (RENEB) project, two intercomparison exercises were conducted to assess the suitability of an optimized version of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, and to evaluate the capacity of a large laboratory network performing biodosimetry for radiation emergency triages. Twelve European institutions participated in the first exercise, and four non-RENEB labs were added in the second one.



Irradiated blood samples were shipped to participating labs, whose task was to culture these samples and provide a blind dose estimate. Micronucleus analysis was performed by automated, semi-automated and manual procedures.



The dose estimates provided by network laboratories were in good agreement with true administered doses. The most accurate estimates were reported for low dose points (≤ 0.94 Gy). For higher dose points (≥ 2.7 Gy) a larger variation in estimates was observed, though in the second exercise the number of acceptable estimates increased satisfactorily. Higher accuracy was achieved with the semi-automated method.



The results of the two exercises performed by our network demonstrate that the micronucleus assay is a useful tool for large-scale radiation emergencies, and can be successfully implemented within a large network of laboratories.
a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Ghent University , Gent , Belgium.
Julie
J
Depuydt
b National Research Foundation (NRF) iThemba LABS , Somerset West , South Africa.
Ans
A
Baeyens
c Public Health England , Centre for Radiation Chemical and Environmental Hazards , Chilton , UK.
Stephen
S
Barnard
d Bundeswehr Institut für Radiobiology, Universität Ulm , Munich , Germany.
Christina
C
Beinke
e National Public Health Centre - National Research Directorate for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene , Budapest , Hungary.
Anett
A
Benedek
b National Research Foundation (NRF) iThemba LABS , Somerset West , South Africa.
Philip
P
Beukes
f Institut Chemii i Techniki Jadrowej , Poland.
Iwona
I
Buraczewska
g Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , The Netherlands.
Firouz
F
Darroudi
h Army Medical and Veterinary Research Center , Rome , Italy.
Stefania
S
De Sanctis
i University of Sevilla , Sevilla , Spain.
Inmaculada
I
Dominguez
j Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares , Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa , Bobadela-LRS , Portugal.
Octávia
O
Monteiro Gil
k National Center for Radiobiology and Radiation Protection , Sofia , Bulgaria.
Valeria
V
Hadjidekova
e National Public Health Centre - National Research Directorate for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene , Budapest , Hungary.
Enikő
E
Kis
l Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz , Department Radiation Protection and Health , Oberschleissheim , Germany.
Ulrike
U
Kulka
h Army Medical and Veterinary Research Center , Rome , Italy.
Florigio
F
Lista
e National Public Health Centre - National Research Directorate for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene , Budapest , Hungary.
Katalin
K
Lumniczky
m Laboratoire de Radiobiologie et Oncologie , Commissariat à l'Energy Atomique , France.
Radhia
R
M'kacher
c Public Health England , Centre for Radiation Chemical and Environmental Hazards , Chilton , UK.
Jayne
J
Moquet
n Institutul National de Sanatate Publica , Bucuresti , Romania.
Doina
D
Obreja
a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Ghent University , Gent , Belgium.
Ursula
U
Oestreicher
o Serbian Institute of Occupational Health "Dr Dragomir Karajovic", Radiation Protection Center , Belgrado , Serbia.
Jelena
J
Pajic
i University of Sevilla , Sevilla , Spain.
Nuria
N
Pastor
k National Center for Radiobiology and Radiation Protection , Sofia , Bulgaria.
Ljubomira
L
Popova
h Army Medical and Veterinary Research Center , Rome , Italy.
Elisa
E
Regalbuto
m Laboratoire de Radiobiologie et Oncologie , Commissariat à l'Energy Atomique , France.
Michelle
M
Ricoul
m Laboratoire de Radiobiologie et Oncologie , Commissariat à l'Energy Atomique , France.
Laure
L
Sabatier
b National Research Foundation (NRF) iThemba LABS , Somerset West , South Africa.
Jacobus
J
Slabbert
f Institut Chemii i Techniki Jadrowej , Poland.
Sylwester
S
Sommer
p Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile , Rome , Italy.
Antonella
A
Testa
a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Ghent University , Gent , Belgium.
Hubert
H
Thierens
q Institute Molecular Biosciences, Stockholm University , Stockholm , Sweden.
Andrzej
A
Wojcik
a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Ghent University , Gent , Belgium.
Anne
A
Vral
D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
Biodosimetry; RENEB; micronucleus assay; radiation accident; triage