Proposal to use CERN accelerator for biomedical research

Discussions under way for possible re-use of LEIR accelerator

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Proposal to use CERN accelerator for biomedical research

The LEIR facility at CERN (Image:CERN)

The Low Energy Ion Ring (LEIR) is a CERN facility that produces high-density ion beams for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and other experiments. Discussions are under way to evaluate the possibility of modifying LEIR to serve the biomedical community.

Over 200 scientists from 26 countries, from the European Union and beyond attended a recent brainstorming meeting on the subject at CERN.

The LEIR facility could provide a wide variety of ions that could be used to conduct research on biological targets. Research could also be conducted dosimetry systems, radiation detectors, and proton radiography and tomography.

Learn more about life sciences projects at CERN