The Influence of Synthetic Torpor on the Murine Gut Morphology

Verbeke Jana, 2025
In modern society, we encounter ionizing radiation from routine medical exams and cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy treatments to cosmic radiation, which particularly affects astronauts. Many risks are associated with radiation exposure, making it crucial to protect ourselves as effectively as possible against its potential harm. This study explores a novel approach to radiation protection. Previous research has shown that animals in hibernation are more likely to survive after radiation exposure. This insight has inspired the idea of inducing synthetic hibernation in humans to harness its radioprotective benefits. By mimicking the biological processes that occur during natural hibernation, it may be possible to reduce the damage caused by ionizing radiation. Such an approach could have valuable applications in fields like radiotherapy and space travel. In radiotherapy, inducing a hibernation-like state in patients could slow down the tumor growth and could help protect healthy tissue during treatment. This could enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments while minimizing the side effects often seen in radiotherapy application. In space travel, astronauts placed in hibernation during long term missions through deep space could be shielded from the harmful effects of galactic cosmic radiation. Extended exposure to space radiation is a major challenge for long-duration space missions, and synthetic hibernation could offer a novel solution to reduce the health risks faced by astronauts, paving the way for safer space exploration.

Promotor Charlot Vandevoorde
Opleiding Biomedische Wetenschappen
Domein Radiation Sciences
Kernwoorden Hibernation Synthetic Torpor Radioprotection Gastrointestinal tract