Cell survival probability under ionizing radiation.

The survival probability of a living cell exposed to ionizing radiation in an experimental setup is derived. The survival of a cell depends on the severity of the radiation damage and efficiency of the cellular repair. The formula of the survival probability is expressed as a function of dose, nonlinear rate of lesion induction, nonlinear rate of cellular repair, and a key experimental parameter--the holding time. The result is an extension of the Markovian dose-response model developed by Yang and Swenberg.