# Physiologically Relevant Organotypic Tissue Slice Model for Evaluating Cell Responses to Ionizing Radiation

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new model using organotypic tissue slices to better study how tissues respond to radiation, improving radiation therapy.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the use of organotypic tissue slices to unify radiobiological assessments with physiological relevance.

## Key findings

- OTSs retain complex tissue architecture and multicellular environments.
- OTSs can mimic in vivo responses to ionizing radiation.
- OTSs improve reliability and comparability in radiobiological studies.

## Abstract

Precision in radiotherapy requires the development of standardized, reproducible, and biologically relevant models to accurately assess the efficacy and safety of various radiobiological sources. This review presents a novel approach using precision-cut organotypic tissue slices (OTSs), or organotypic tissue cultures (OTCs), as a representative model with potential for unifying the assessment of radiobiological sources. Derived from specific organs, OTSs retain the complex architecture and multicellular environment of the tissue, providing a unique platform that bridges the gap between in vitro cell cultures and in vivo animal models. The typed OTSs can effectively mimic the in vivo physiological responses to ionizing radiation, providing insight into the mechanisms of radiation-induced damage and repair, and the potential for radiation-induced toxicity and side effects. The emerging practices for the use of OTSs in radiobiological studies include slice mechanical preparation, radiation exposure, and outcomes assessment. The prepared approach for OTS preparation promises to improve the reliability and comparability of radiobiological studies, facilitating the development of safer and more effective radiation therapies. OTSs have the potential to significantly advance our understanding and application of radiation medicine and research by providing a physiologically relevant assessment of radiobiological effects of novel ionizing radiation sources.