New challenges in radiobiology research with microbeams.

There is a continuing interest in the use of microbeam systems designed to deliver ionizing radiation (both photons and particles) with a resolution of a few micrometers or less in biological targets. With more than 30 facilities currently in operation, several new research topics can be explored. In the 9th International Microbeam Workshop held in Darmstadt, Germany, in July 2010, several new ideas and results have been presented, indicating that microbeams will be increasingly important in radiobiology. Subnuclear targeting of single cells for DNA repair studies and microirradiation of 3D or small animal models are among the most promising new research perspectives.