# Project 4: Post-Exposure Biomarkers and Remediation of Radionuclide Contaminants

> **NIH NIH P01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $374,452

## Abstract

PROJECT 4: ABSTRACT
In the last several years, a sense of urgency and a renewed interest in the study of radionuclide chemistry and
biology have emerged, as threats of nuclear terrorism have become more plausible, as investigational medical
tools have sought the radioactive properties of radionuclides, and as the risk of environmental contamination
and human exposure to radioisotopes consequently increased. In this project, we will pursue the analysis of
radionuclide distribution beyond the MACRO into the MESO, MICRO and NANO scales, in order to improve
dosimetry modeling and biokinetics analyses, in line with biological endpoints, thereby enabling meaningful
countermeasure development in the context of internal emitter exposures. The radiation damage and health risk
presented by internalized radionuclides can be mitigated by the use of mitigators, such as decorporation agents,
that reduce internal contamination. However, most effective agents enhance the elimination of only a limited
range of radionuclides, and some are formulated in ways that would make administration in mass casualty
situations challenging. Therefore, the development of improved decorporation therapies and better delivery
systems for chelators is a research priority in the area of radiological and nuclear threat countermeasures. This
project specifically addresses the urgent need to develop and implement an improved therapy for radioisotope
contamination of a large population. It will establish biokinetic profiles in adult and juvenile animal models, enable
the discovery of biomarkers of exposure, and extend the indication of a new therapeutic decorporation agent to
selected radioisotopes in the form of inhaled particulates, by demonstrating the post-exposure potency of this
product at preventing long-term lung deposition and subsequent damage. In addition, by correlating different
biomarkers of radiation toxicity to countermeasure’s efficacy, this research will provide the foundational data
needed to determine the need for, and course and endpoint of treatment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10327399
- **Project number:** 1P01AI165380-01
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Rebecca J Abergel
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $374,452
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-03-10 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10327399

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10327399, Project 4: Post-Exposure Biomarkers and Remediation of Radionuclide Contaminants (1P01AI165380-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10327399. Licensed CC0.

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