Potentially Lethal Radiation Damage: Repair by Mammalian Cells in Culture

Abstract

Less than optimum conditions with regard to cell division after x-irradiation provide the necessary environment in which mammalian cells can repair potentially lethal radiation damage. The kinetics of repair suggest that, during the repair process, a transient, unstable cellular state occurs which prevents cell division in complete growth medium. The capacity for repair appears to be dependent on cell age.