Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Organizing committee, we take this opportunity to invite you to participate in the International Conference on Radiation Biology with 8th Annual Meeting of the Indian Society of Radiation Biology (ISRB) and 5th LOWRAD (Low Radiation) International Conference on Low Dose Radiation Effects on Human Health and Environment on November 20-22, 2006 to be held at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

Radiation and radioactivity have been the integral part of society since origin of life. In addition to background radiation, the health consequences of accidental / occupational radiation exposure has been a matter of concern to public as well as to nuclear workers. With increasing applications of radiation/radio-nuclide based diagnosis and therapeutic strategies, living beings are deriving benefit of new techniques and they are faced with at the constant risk of low level radiation exposure.

Considering the relevance of radiation effects on environment and human health especially radiation risk assessment and in improvement of cancer radiotherapy, it is imperative to focus for the deeper insight of molecular mechanism of radiation effects on cellular and animal systems. Although radiotherapy is a treatment of choice with curative/palliative intent in the management of various malignancies, but it is associated with radio-resistance, chemo-resistance and unwanted side effects. This needs an urgent intervention of holistic approach, including life style, diet and drug, which are best available in Ayurveda, an Indian system of Medicine. Several Nutraceuticals have been demonstrated to have radioprotective properties with lower toxicity and side effects, which has also reduced the huge financial burden of the patient. The rationale of application of these agents used as “add-on therapy” or as “complete replacement of existing modern therapy”, needs to be evaluated, based on modern scientific perspectives.

This International Conference is an effort to provide a forum to discuss the frontier research areas in low and high dose radiation biology and to bring resource persons from different fields of radiation sciences and medicine at one platform. Besides, this is first golden opportunity to organize a joint meeting of ISRB and WONUC in India, which will provide immense opportunity for closer interactions between the leading experts in the emerging areas of radiation sciences.

We are sure that the ancient cultural heritage of art, dance and music of Varanasi and surrounding would further sweeten the scientific flavor of the Conference. As cultural exchange, a tour to Sarnath, the place of Lord Buddha, visit to the lanes and Ghats of Varanasi, full of traditional culture of Kashi, have been organized, which will add to the pleasure of the participants and their accompanies. The participants will also enjoy visiting the outlets of hand-woven Banarasi Silk Sarees and woolen carpets. We hope that participants in this grand event would have a memorable journey scientifically and culturally. We are looking forward to see you in Varanasi in November, 2006.

Prof. Yamini Bhusan Tripathi Convener Department of Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India E-mail : yaminiok@yahoo.com, yamini@bhu.ac.in Tel. : (O)91-542-2307547, (H) 2366577 Fax : 91-542-2368174, 2366566

Dr. K.P. Mishra President Indian Society of Radiation Biology and Vice President, WONUC, India & Chairman, 5th Low Rad Conference Head Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai 400 085, India Tel.: + 91-22-25595047/25505210 Email: mishra_kaushala@rediffmail.com