The Development of new radiation treatments for cancer and radiation monitoring techniques for this millennium

Prof Anatoly Rozenfeld
Centre for Medical Radiation Physics

Cancer is rapidly becoming the largest cause of mortality this century. To address this problem and save more lives, better technologies for diagnosis and treatment of cancer are required. One of the UOW’s research strengths, the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP) within the School of Engineering Physics, was established in 2002 to address this important task by utilizing advances in radiation medicine.

Director of CMRP, Professor Anatoly Rozenfeld will be presenting some of the research conducted at CMRP, during the next Research Strength Showcase Series lecture on Wednesday 7th May at 12:30 in BLDG 20.2

The core objectives of the CMRP are excellence in research and development in the field of innovative radiation therapy, radiation instrumentation and measurements. It has developed strong research programs in mini-micro and nano dosimetry using advanced microelectronics nano-technology, proton beam radiotherapy, micro beam radiation therapy and innovative magneto radiotherapy.

CMRP collaborations exist with leading radiation oncology institutions around the world. These include the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) in New York, the Loma Linda University Medical Centre in California, and the Massachusetts General Hospital proton therapy centre and Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Other collaborating centres include the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, University of London University College and advanced microelectronics facilities in Ukraine and Russia.

Specialised areas of research within CMRP include X-ray radiotherapy for prostate cancer treatment, permanent radioactive seed implant brachytherapy, high dose rate brachytherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for head and neck treatment (which is in collaboration with the St George Cancer Care Centre and Illawarra Cancer Care Centre). 
Another research project is in Space Medicine-radiation hazard prediction in avionic and space radiation environments where CMRP is leading a silicon microdosimetry program with overseas partners NASA , USNA, MSKCC , and local partners ANSTO, UNSW and the University of Melbourne. CMRP is strongly linked with ANSTO in radiation detection field and others.

CMRP has active collaborations in translational research with local hospitals to facilitate broader research efforts in new radiation oncology modalities. PhD and MSc students are active at both St George and Illawarra Cancer Care Centres. Other NSW cancer centres where our research students are placed include Royal Prince Alfred, St Vincents public and private, Westmead Institute for Cancer Research and Liverpool hospital.

Last reviewed: 9 May, 2008