A new opportunity in the field of radiation research has been opened in the University of Mumbai. The recently inaugurated Gamma Irradiation Chamber (GIC) 5000, CO-60 in the Department of Biophysics of the University has set a benchmark in the field of radiation research. The facility was inaugurated in the presence of Ajay Bhamre, Prof. Mayank Wahiya and Prof. Varsha Kelkar-Mane. This facility is considered as an important milestone for Mumbai University in the field of radiation research.
This radiation chamber has opened up a great hall for academic institutions and researchers across the country. Prof. Varsha Kelkar-Mane, head of the Department of Biophysics, said that with the help of this machine, areas like healthcare, food processing, materials science and engineering, radiation chemistry, biological and biomedical research, food and agriculture, space research etc. will be boosted.
A one-day workshop was organised on the occasion of 'GIC' inauguration ceremony. A large number of students, researchers and teachers attended this workshop. Eminent scientists in the field of radiation and radiation biology shed light on various aspects. Along with this, some demonstrations were also shown. Dr. B.N. Pandey, Head of the Radiation Cancer Biology Section at BARC and the first speaker at the one-day workshop, highlighted the role of radiobiology and radiation protection in healthcare, particularly in cancer treatment and safety practices.
He also gave detailed guidance on some fundamentals required for the study of radiation, its protection mechanism, therapeutic potential, optimum dose and side effects of radiation. It also mentioned the effects of natural radiation on pilots, frequent flyers and astronauts. Working in radiation biophysics for the past 40 years, Dr. B S Rao emphasised the principles of radiation protection in medical experiments with a focus on optimization (ALARA principle) and limitation of radiation dose. He also commented on regulatory frameworks, safe practices in radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and radio diagnostics, as well as on waste management and emergency protocols for pregnant women.
On the insistence of the participants, the Department of Biophysics will soon organise a series of workshops and seminars, Prof. Varsha Kelkar-Mane, Head of the Department, said that how radiation can be used for human welfare and that misunderstandings about it will be removed and research will be promoted.