Since the early days of its foundation in 1960, the Health Physics, Radiobiology & Cytogenetics Laboratory (HPRC) gives proper and continuous recognition to problems related to all potential radiation induced health hazards. Specifically, HPRC provides operational health physics services related to the Radiation Protection Program in NCSR “D” and the evaluation of radiation overexposures and radiation accidents in general, by means of biological dosimetry methods. Research activities involve the use of radiation and cancer cytogenetics, molecular genetics and radioisotope methodologies to study questions of basic and applied research in radiation protection, radiobiology, and cancer genetics. In addition, based on its expertise in radiation protection, radiation biology and cancer cytogenetics, HPRC offers specialized services for the calibration of radiation survey meters, for the development of individualized protocols for radiotherapy treatment and for the diagnostic cytogenetic evaluation of patients with hematological neoplasms.
HPRC has been the Reference Laboratory of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for biological dosimetry and the evaluation of absorbed doses in cases of radiation accident, as well as for standardization of state of the art methodologies applied for biodosimetry purposes. It is the National Reference Laboratory for the cytogenetic characterization of myelodysplastic syndromes of the Hellenic Society of Hematology, a full participant of the EU NoE “European LeukemiaNet” and the COST Action BM0801 (EuGESMA).
HPRC is accredited by the Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD S.A.) according to the EN ISO/IEC 15189:2007 Standard for karyotyping, molecular cytogenetic and biodosimetry tests (Accreditation Certificate no. 776-2).