# MEMBRANE COMPOSITION & RADIATION DAMAGE

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER · 1987 · $115,097

## Abstract

Exposure of cells to ionizing radiation alters cellular membranes leading
to changes in membrane fluidity, transport, electrokinetic properties and
surface topography.  Radiation-induced changes in membranes derive from
autocatalyzed oxidation of unsaturated lipids which modify membrane
structure/function.  This can cause cell death by impairing
permeselectivity of cellular membrane barriers, distorting
nuclear-cytoplasmic exchange, and by direct nuclear damage.

This program aims to evaluate (i) cell survival and (ii) structure/fluidity
of plasma and nuclear membranes isolated from Chinese hamster cells (V79),
as a function of membrane composition and exposure to low-dose ionizing
radiation.  We will evaluate the role of membrane components that vary with
diet and are known to affect membrane structure, namely (1) Cis-trans
unsaturated fatty acids; (2) cholesterol and derivatives; (3) vitamin A and
analogs; (4) vitamin E.  Cell survival will be determined by clonogenic
assays.  Membrane structure/composition changes will be followed by Raman
spectroscopy and biochemical methods.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3173697
- **Project number:** 2R01CA036195-04A1
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MY2ERHGDV956
- **Principal Investigator:** SURENDRA P VERMA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $115,097
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1984-02-01 → 1990-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3173697

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3173697, MEMBRANE COMPOSITION & RADIATION DAMAGE (2R01CA036195-04A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-26 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3173697. Licensed CC0.

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