Cell-Scale Monte Carlo Simulations
We use Monte Carlo simulations to model radiation-induced damage at the sub-cellular level and pair these with mechanistic models of DNA repair kinetics and radiobiological experiments. Our framework (TOPAS-nBio) builds the basis of many of our studies, including:
- The impact of DNA organization on radiation sensitivity
- Radiation-triggered prodrug release
- Radiation enhancement using nanoparticles
- Mechanisms of healthy tissue sparing at ultra-high dose rates (UHDR)
Macroscopic Monte Carlo simulations
We are part of the core team that develops and maintains the TOPAS Monte Carlo code. TOPAS (since the OpenTOPAS release) is a fully open software offering accurate simulations at the CT scale for multiple radiation therapy and imaging approaches. Our lab focusses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of cell and tissue response to radiation. To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms, we combine Monte Carlo simulations of radiation induced damages on sub-cellular targets followed by mechanistic modeling of DNA repair kinetics with radiobiology experiments.