Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) – Profiles

The Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) oversees the DoD Medical Radiological Defense Research Program. AFRRI conducts extensive research to develop medical prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures against ionizing radiation and to develop rapid methods that assess radiation exposure doses.

The Radiation Biodosimetry Division of AFRRI uses parameters such as early-response changes in hematology, protein biomarkers for early-phase, organ-specific and late effects radiation contamination, and clinical symptoms to make assessments of radioactive contamination. Developing and optimizing assays and field deployable tools is a core mission of the division.

New drug candidates and biological dose assessment technologies are developed up to and through preclinical testing and evaluation.

Areas of expertise and highlighted programs include:

• Medical Countermeasures
• Assessment of Radiation Injury (Biodosimetry)
• Combined Injury: Radiation with Other Injuries
• Internal Contamination
• Low Dose, Dose Rate and Late Effects
• Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (MEIR) training
• Medical Radiobiology Advisory Team (MRAT)

AFRRI participates in cooperative research with other federal agencies involved in homeland security and emergency medical preparedness. AFRRI falls under the authority of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).