Flashes to Mind - Biological, imaging and machine learning analyses of radiation effects in preclinical mouse models

Aug 5, 2026

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This dissertation investigates radiation effects using preclinical mouse models, focusing on FLASH radiotherapy and its biological consequences for the murine brain and lung normal tissue. It combines multi-institutional electron FLASH studies with magnetic resonance imaging approaches, including structural and diffusion MR analysis. A radiomics framework is applied to identify radiation-induced toxicity patterns in the lung, supported by quantitative imaging analysis and machine learning methods.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages142

Reading Time5 h 58 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background

FLASH Radiotherapy

Assessments of Radiation-Induced CNS Injury

Medical Imaging Modalities

Quantitative Medical Imaging Analysis

Multi-institutional Investigation of Electron FLASH in the Murine Brain

Methods

Results

Discussion

Structural and Diffusion MR Imaging Analysis of FLASH Irradiation in the Murine Brain

Methods

Results

Discussion

Radiomics Approach for Identifying Radiation-Induced Normal Tissue Toxicity in the Lung

Methods

Results

Discussion

Summary

Limitations and Ongoing and Future Directions

UC Irvine UC Irvine Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Flashes to Mind: Biological, imaging and machine learning analyses of radiation effects in preclinical mouse models Permalink [https://escholarship.org/uc/item/35z335gq](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/35z335gq) Author Drayson, Olivia Publication Date 2024 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation [eScholarship.org](eScholarship.org) Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE Flashes to Mind: Biological, imaging and machine learning analyses of radiation effects in preclinical mouse models DISSERTATION submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Environmental Health Science by the Honourable Olivia Grace Georgina Drayson Dissertation Committee: Professor Charles Limoli, Chair Associate Professor Peter Chang Professor Masashi Kitazawa Professor David Richardson Professor Craig Stark Chapter 2 © 2024 Radiotherapy & Oncology Chapter 4 © 2024 Nature Scientific Reports All other materials © 2024 the Honourable Olivia Grace Georgina Drayson DEDICATION To my parents, whose unwavering and endless support has allowed me to pursue my endeavours without fear. And who knew that no matter how far around the world I go, I’ll always come back home. To my siblings, James, George, Chiara and Francesca. Who have kept me grounded while also showing me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I may be the eldest, but I will always look up to each of you with endless admiration. To my friends around the world, from England to France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, New Zealand and across the US. Who have shown me that each field I’ve entered is a world full of possibility, and that wherever I find myself, I’m never alone. To my late grandfather, Professor Brian Bellhouse. Whose scientific curiosity, interdisciplinary achievements, and adventurous pursuits continue to inspire me both in the lab and ‘off the Earth’. And to my late aunt Anna, whose battle with cancer during my PhD made this topic a deeply personal one. While I wish advancements in this field had come much sooner, I now know and feel deeply the importance of this research. However, most importantly, you have taught me to live my life to the fullest, and to follow my heart wherever it takes me. “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” -Marie Curie TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES v LIST OF TABLES viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xi VITA xii ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION xiv 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background .................................... 1 1.2 FLASH Radiotherapy ............................... 6 1.3 Assessments of Radiation-Induced CNS Injury ................. 12 1.4 Medical Imaging Modalities ........................... 15 1.5 Quantitative Medical Imaging Analysis ..................... 21 2 Multi-institutional Investigation of Electron FLASH in the Murine Brain 30 2.1 Abstract ...................................... 30 2.2 Introduction .................................... 31 2.3 Methods ...................................... 33 2.4 Results ....................................... 40 2.5 Discussion ..................................... 46 3 Structural and Diffusion MR Imaging Analysis of FLASH Irradiation in the Murine Brain 52 3.1 Abstract ...................................... 52 3.2 Introduction .................................... 53 3.3 Methods ...................................... 56 3.4 Results ....................................... 62 3.5 Discussion ..................................... 71 4 Radiomics Approach for Identifying Radiation-Induced Normal Tissue Tox icity in the Lung 74 4.1 Abstract ...................................... 74 4.2 Introduction ..............................

FAQs

What research topic does the dissertation address?

The dissertation analyzes radiation effects in preclinical mouse models, with an emphasis on FLASH radiotherapy and resulting biological, imaging, and machine learning findings.

How is FLASH radiotherapy investigated across studies?

It includes multi-institutional investigations of electron FLASH in the murine brain, followed by dedicated imaging analyses and discussion of outcomes.

What methods are used to quantify and identify radiation-induced effects?

The work uses quantitative medical imaging analysis, including structural and diffusion MRI, and a radiomics approach to detect radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity in the lung.

Aug 5, 2026

Upload by Miles