Bringing the EPR/Alanine Gold Standard to Preclinical Radiobiology: C&C Irradiator Service Achieves A2LA Accreditation

If you work in preclinical radiation research, you already know the underlying challenge: achieving absolute consistency across different hardware platforms like standard X-ray cabinets and traditional gamma irradiators as you transition from one technology to the next. Variances in experimental setups, geometry, and subtle machine drifts frequently introduce hidden variables into otherwise flawless studies.

At C&C Irradiator Service, we have spent years working to eliminate those variables. Today, we are thrilled to share a milestone that cements that commitment: C&C Irradiator Service has officially achieved A2LA Accreditation (ISO/IEC 17025) for our in-house EPR/alanine dosimetry process!

This isn't just a badge for our wall; it’s a powerful dosimetry validation tool for your next study. Here is what this standard of excellence means for the radiobiology community.

What Does A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation Actually Mean?

While many facilities rely on "NIST-traceable" tools, there is a vast difference between using traceable equipment and operating an accredited process.

Accreditation means that an independent, globally recognized body (the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation) has rigorously audited our EPR/alanine process.

A2LA evaluated our technical competence, our quality management systems, and our precise measurement methodologies. When you receive a dosimetry report from an A2LA-accredited lab, you aren't just getting data. You are getting scientifically defensible proof of absorbed dose for grant funding or publishing, which is an increasingly necessary method as CIRPER is adopted. Our dosimetry creates an integrated approach designed to capture real-world irradiation environments with a workflow consisting of three integrated components:

• Anatomically Precise 3D Phantoms: By using tissue-comparable PLA+ filaments, our phantoms simulate actual scattering environments inside custom cages and enclosures.

• In-House Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR): Instead of shipping dosimeter pellets off to a third party and waiting weeks for results, we manage the entire measurement chain in-house using a high-precision EPR spectrometer.

• Advanced Low-Energy Correction: Alanine dosimeters exhibit a non-linear relative response when exposed to photon energies below 1 MeV. Our accredited process applies specialized algorithms to correct for these low-energy X-ray drop-offs, aligning polyenergetic cabinet spectra with national standards.

Importance of Your Research for CIRPER Guidelines

Funding agencies (like the NIH and DoD) and high-impact journals are cracking down on reporting discrepancies. The Compatibility in Irradiation Research Protocols Expert Roundtable (CIRPER) explicitly calls for the transparent reporting of device parameters, filtration, source-to-specimen distance (SSD), field geometry, and other specifications.

Dosequate® was built before the CIRPER frameworks were created, yet our dosimetry system generates a comprehensive report to meet all the CIRPER requirements. We log every metric mandated by CIRPER, giving your team a turnkey solution for grant applications and peer-review processes.

Partner with Confidence

By achieving A2LA accreditation, C&C Irradiator Service provides a scientifically sound method for preclinical dosimetry. We’ve done the heavy lifting to ensure your baseline calibrations are flawless, your mechanical systems are operating without drift, and your protocols are entirely reproducible across any hardware platform.

Ready to elevate the rigor of your irradiation protocols? Reach out to our team today to learn how to integrate an A2LA-accredited Dosequate® validation into your next research cycle.

C&C Irradiator Service is accredited for

Alanine Pellet EPR Dosimeters (1 to 1000) Gy

for Photon Radiation including:

X-ray (45 to 500) keV X-ray

Gamma (0.045 to 1.33) MeV