Radiobiology and Radiotherapy

The Radiobiology and Radiotherapy Program at Yale Cancer Center comprises a broadly based, multifaceted research effort in radiation therapy, radiation biology, radiological physics, and related areas of tumor biology, including a major effort in DNA damage and repair. Its long-term goal is to improve the treatment of cancer in general and the effectiveness of radiation therapy in particular. Some of the key themes include studies of carcinogenesis, genetic instability and cell growth control; elucidation of DNA repair pathways; investigation of tumor hypoxia and the impact of hypoxia on cancer therapy; preclinical development of radiation sensitizers and DNA repair inhibitors; including combination of DNA repair inhibitors with immune therapy; molecular correlations with outcomes in radiation therapy; health services and disparities research in radiation oncology; design and conduct of clinical trials relevant to radiation oncology; and improvements in radiation dosimetry, imaging, and delivery.

The program leaders are Dr. Joseph Contessa and Dr. Megan King. 

The goals of the Radiobiology and Radiotherapy Program are to:
    1. Elucidate pathways of cancer biology that impact radiation therapy.
    2. Conduct innovative clinical and translational research to improve radiation therapy