The history of the Center for Radiation Biology at Soochow University dates back to the Department of Radiation Medicine, established in 1964 by the former Suzhou Medical College. As one of the earliest institutions in China to systematically undertake education and research in radiation medicine, our department played a pivotal role during the nascent stages of the nation's nuclear program. We were entrusted with critical tasks including radiation protection, dose monitoring, and research on biological effects, providing substantial scientific, technological, and personnel support for major national strategic projects such as the development of nuclear weapons and the nuclear-powered submarine.
Over more than six decades of development, leveraging high-level platforms such as the State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection (approved in 2018) and the Key Laboratory of Radiation Damage and Treatment of Jiangsu Provincial Universities and Colleges (approved in 2024), the Center has gradually evolved into one of China's significant bases for radiobiology education and research.
The Center has achieved remarkable accomplishments in discipline construction, education and teaching, talent cultivation, and scientific research, wielding extensive influence within the domestic fields of radiation medicine and related areas. In recent years (2021–2025), the Center has undertaken over 20 national-level projects, including those from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, with cumulative funding exceeding 50 million RMB. It has published more than 200 SCI-indexed papers and been granted over 20 national patents, of which more than 10 have been successfully transferred. The Center has received more than 10 ministerial/provincial-level or above scientific research awards. It compiled and published the first systematic radiobiology textbook in China. Students supervised by the Center have won numerous national competition awards, including the first prize in the "Challenge Cup" National Undergraduate Curricular Academic Science and Technology Works Competition. The Center boasts a well-structured and internationalized research team, comprising 28 faculty members and researchers, 3 senior experimentalists, and 3 visiting professors including internationally renowned scientists.
The main research directions of the Center include:
(1) Mechanisms and Protection of Radiation Injury: Focusing on the molecular mechanisms of multi-organ (e.g., intestine, skin, lung, bone) damage induced by ionizing radiation; exploring novel intervention strategies involving stem cells, microbiota regulation, and the immune microenvironment; developing radioprotective drugs and treatment technologies.
(2) Precision Radiotherapy for Tumors: Conducting cutting-edge interdisciplinary research combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy, heavy ion therapy, tumor oxygen regulation, and targeting of cancer stem cells to enhance the efficacy of tumor radiotherapy and improve the protection of normal tissues.
(3) Space Radiation Biology: Addressing major national needs in manned spaceflight and deep space exploration, investigating the biological effects of the combined space environment (e.g., space radiation, microgravity), and establishing radiation risk assessment models and protection technology systems.
Adhering to the principle of "Based on National Strategy, Serving People's Health," the Center continuously conducts fundamental and translational research in radiobiology. It is dedicated to becoming an academic hub and talent incubator with international influence in the fields of radiation injury prevention and treatment, innovation in tumor radiotherapy, and space radiation biology research.
