A mathematical model of response of cells to radiation

Unexpected behaviour of cells after low doses of radiation have been recently shown. To investigate possible mechanisms involved in these phenomena, a cellular automaton (CA) model was created. A first CA modelled the diffusion of nutrients and signals in the cellular environment; this CA was coupled to a second one which computed the cell cycle of a population of cells and their reaction to radiation. The survival probabilities to doses below 1 Gy were calculated carefully; the communication between targeted and non-targeted cells was also included. Early results on population growth characteristics were in agreement with data of the literature and the model should help understanding further the cellular response to low doses of radiation.