As Australia’s premier organisation for delivering and characterising high‑intensity irradiation, ANSTO has established a sovereign capability that enables world‑leading research into how radiation interacts with biological matter. This expertise is vital for advancing the understanding of how living systems respond to radiation in extreme environments.
At ANSTO’s Centre for Accelerator Science and the Department of Human Health and Bioscience, specialised facilities support researchers and industry in investigating the effects of ionising radiation on a wide range of biological materials, including human and animal cells, plants, food sources, and pharmaceuticals. These studies refine medical applications such as targeted particle therapy and inform protection strategies for people working in high‑radiation settings, including medical and nuclear facilities, as well as in space as missions become more ambitious and frequent.
Gaining a deeper understanding of how radiation exposure alters biological systems is essential for developing effective mitigation measures that protect human health, maintain food and drug stability, and preserve biological function during prolonged exposure.
