Awarded poster at the 17th International Wolfsberg Meeting on Molecular Radiation Biology/Oncology
Hurdal, Norway, 21-23 June 2025
By Adila Apsara, travel grant awardee
My name is Adila Apsara, and I am a third-year PhD student at the Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, Germany. My PhD project focuses on radiation-induced lung toxicity and its impact on the gut microbiota through the gut-lung axis. Using a preclinical mouse model treated with a single dose of whole thorax irradiation (WTI, 15Gy), I collect samples from the gut, lungs, and serum at multiple time points to examine shifts in microbiota and metabolite profiles, as well as changes in the intestinal, pulmonary, and systemic immune responses. This project aims to identify bacterial biomarkers associated with radiotherapy-induced lung toxicity, to explore the interplay between the gut-lung axis, and to assess the potential of targeting the host microbiota to mitigate the adverse side effects of radiotherapy.
To gain insights into the radiation aspect of my project, I attended the 17th International Wolfsberg Meeting on Molecular Radiation Biology/Oncology in June at the Hurdalsjøen Hotel in Norway. The conference provided an excellent platform to engage with ongoing research in the field and was highly relevant to my PhD project.
The conference was neatly structured into four main topics: DNA repair, signalling, microenvironment, and novel therapies and biomarkers. All talks and many posters within these topics contributed to a deeper understanding of both fundamental mechanisms and translational strategies in radiation biology. I found the sessions in which the connection between radiation and systemic immune responses was explored particularly interesting, as this subject is aligned closely with my ongoing project.
Radiation biology is a central component of my PhD project. My attendance at this conference helped me to deepen my understanding of the scientific background of radiation, and the insightful discussions with other researchers inspired me to refine my ideas for future experiments.
Overall, the conference provided a valuable opportunity for me to gain scientific insights, build connections with researchers in the field, and stay updated on emerging approaches, such as FLASH and proton-based irradiation. I am grateful for this opportunity and thankful for the travel award that supported my participation.
Adila Apsara
AG Westendorf – Institute for Medical Microbiology
University Hospital Essen
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/adila-apsara-14394a1b8