[The biological effects of heavy charged particles. The main results and prospective research in the context of interplanetary flights].

In experiments with biological objects varying in levels of their organization, comprising protozoa and cells and total bodies of large laboratory animals, the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of accelerated charged particles in a wide range of doses and LET, i.e. high energy protons, heavy ions with energies up to 10 MeV/nucleon, charged particles of high and relativistic energies simulating individual components of GCR and SCR has been estimated. Early and delayed radiation effects were also studied. RBEs of protons in the energy interval of 50-660 MeV and standard radiation were shown to be equal, whereas RBE factors of heavier particles are a function of LET and many other physical and biological agents. Discussed are the specific properties of biological agents of heavy charged particles and the prospects for investigations in view of long-term interplanetary missions.