RADIOBIOLOGY AND RADIOTHERAPY RESEARCH PROGRAM PROGRAM CODE: RR PROGRAM SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Radiobiology & Radiotherapy (RR) Research Program 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. The Specific Aims of the program are to elucidate pathways of cancer biology that impact radiation therapy and to conduct clinical and translational research aimed at improving radiation therapy. The program includes a broad spectrum of activity that extends from laboratory-based experimental research to clinical investigation, and it features 36 investigators within ten departments. Key themes include studies of: 1) carcinogenesis, genetic instability, and cell growth control;; 2) elucidation of DNA repair pathways, and investigation of tumor hypoxia and the impact of hypoxia on cancer therapy;; 3) preclinical development of radiation sensitizers and DNA repair inhibitors, including combination of DNA repair inhibitors with immune therapy;; 4) molecular correlations with outcomes in radiation therapy;; 5) health services and disparities research in radiation oncology;; 6) design and conduct of clinical trials relevant to radiation oncology;; and 7) improvements in radiation dosimetry, imaging, and delivery. Most program members collaborate actively with investigators in other YCC programs, and 34% of the 555 RR publications in the past funding period represent inter-programmatic collaborations. These collaborative interactions stimulate translational research that is facilitated by extensive use of shared resources. The numerous cancer-related grand rounds, seminars, meetings, and journal clubs sponsored by YCC, along with the weekly Radiobiology Workshop and Therapeutic Radiology Grand Rounds sponsored by the program, encourage cooperation, mutual support, and cross-stimulation among research teams, which leads to more rapid and efficient application of research results to clinical practice. The program leaders are Dr. Peter M. Glazer and Dr. Joann Sweasy. Dr. Glazer took over as leader in 2002, replacing Dr. James J. Fischer, who had served as program leader since its inception. In the past funding period, Dr. Joann Sweasy was named co-leader. Together Drs. Glazer and Sweasy have recruited several basic scientists and physician investigators to the Cancer Center. The program also has completed renovation of 15,500 ft2 of laboratory space, partially funded by a $2 million construction grant from the NIH. Dr. Glazer also serves as co-PI (with David Stern, ST) of a T32 pre- and postdoctoral training grant in cancer biology, which includes faculty drawn from RR, ST, and other YCC programs. As of June 1, 2017, the 36 program investigators hav...