Facility for gamma irradiations of cultured cells at low dose rates: design, physical characteristics and functioning

We describe a low dose/dose rate gamma irradiation facility (called LIBIS) for in vitro biological systems, for the exposure, inside a CO2 cell culture incubator, of cells at a dose rate ranging from few mu Gy/h to some tens of mGy/h. Three different Cs-137 sources are used, depending on the desired dose rate. The sample is irradiated with a gamma ray beam with a dose rate uniformity of at least 92% and a percentage of primary 662 key photons greater than 80%. LIBIS complies with high safety standards. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.