Biological Target Volume
Biological Target Volume - Related Videos
11:38
Volume Segmentation and Analysis of Biological Materials Using SuRVoS (Super-region Volume Segmentation) Workbench
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Cited by 10 •
2017
Segmentation of three-dimensional data from many imaging techniques is a major bottleneck in analysis of complex biological systems. Here, we describe the use of SuRVoS Workbench to semi-automatically segment volumetric data at various length-scales using example datasets from cryo-electron tomography, cryo soft X-ray tomography, and phase contrast X-ray tomography techniques.
07:46
ACT-PRESTO: Biological Tissue Clearing and Immunolabeling Methods for Volume Imaging
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Cited by 7 •
2016
ACT-PRESTO (active clarity technique–pressure related efficient and stable transfer of macromolecules into organs) enables rapid, efficient, but inexpensive tissue clearing and rapid antibody penetration into cleared tissues by passive diffusion or pressure-assisted delivery. Using this method, a wide range of tissues can be cleared, immunolabeled by multiple antibodies, and volume-imaged.
11:32
A Microfluidic Platform for Precision Small-volume Sample Processing and Its Use to Size Separate Biological Particles with an Acoustic Microdevice
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Cited by 9 •
2015
This protocol describes a system architecture for performing automated small volume (0.15–1.5 ml) particle separations using a microfluidic device, and discusses methods to optimize acoustofluidic device performance and operation.
07:28
Synthetic Biology
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2023
This video presents synthetic biology and its role in bioengineering. Synthetic biology refers to the methods used to genetically modify organisms in order to make them capable of producing large quantities of a product. This product could be a protein that the cell already makes or a new protein that has been encoded in a newly-inserted DNA sequence. Here, we discuss how an organism's genetic material is modified using transformation or transfection. Then, the process is shown in the...
01:29
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
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2026
Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...
FAQs
Functional imaging and molecular markers provide information about processes that anatomy alone may not show, including proliferation, metabolism, hypoxia, and radiosensitivity. When these measurements reveal differences within one tumor, researchers can delineate subvolumes with potentially different treatment responses. This information helps translate intratumoral heterogeneity into radiotherapy planning decisions rather than treating the tumor as biologically uniform.
Intratumoral heterogeneity means that regions within the same tumor can differ in biological activity and expected radiosensitivity. A biologically active or resistant subregion may therefore require different treatment consideration from a less active area. Radiobiological models help interpret these differences and may identify regions where intensified treatment could improve tumor control while avoiding unnecessary irradiation of healthier tissue.
A Biological Target Volume adds biological information to the anatomical framework formed by the gross tumor volume, clinical target volume, and planning target volume. The anatomical volumes establish the tumor and treatment regions, while biological assessment identifies internal differences in activity or response. Used together, these concepts support treatment designs that account for both spatial extent and likely radiobiological behavior.
The workflow begins by obtaining functional imaging, molecular-marker data, or other measurements relevant to tumor biology. Researchers then identify biologically distinct regions and may apply radiobiological models to interpret their expected response. These subvolumes can be integrated with established radiotherapy target volumes during planning, creating a biologically informed basis for selecting where treatment emphasis may be appropriate.
Biological Target Volume assessment can support dose painting, an approach that varies radiation dose across a treatment region according to biological characteristics. Regions showing features associated with greater activity, hypoxia, or reduced radiosensitivity may receive focused treatment emphasis, while biologically less concerning areas may not require the same level. The goal is to improve tumor control without broadly increasing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
This approach is useful when cancer research aims to connect tumor biology with treatment design and response. Functional imaging, molecular markers, and radiobiological models can be studied alongside conventional target volumes to evaluate whether biologically selected subregions predict different outcomes. Such work may clarify how resistant regions contribute to treatment failure and whether personalized dose distribution can address that heterogeneity.