Research in Radiobiology has been ongoing since the 1970s by Dr Carmel Mothersill with the Radiation Science Centre established in 1990. The effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation on both mammalian and aquatic species have been investigated.
Non-targeted (non-DNA) effects such as bystander effects (effects in cells not hit by a radiation track), genomic instability (effects in the progeny of irradiated cells) and adaptive responses (in cells exposed to a high challenging dose after pretreatment with a low adapting dose) have been the main focus.

RESC research has also focussed on translational research, involving patient tissue or blood samples, to investigate new methods to help to improve patient response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Another area of strength is in biotherapeutics, organic and inorganic small molecule drugs, targeted drug delivery molecules, natural biotherapeutics and novel technologies with therapeutic and diagnostic applications.  This research is focused on the search for novel gene and protein targets/biomarkers, novel anti-cancer and/or anti-microbial complexes to address current healthcare challenges. There is also an emphasis on obtaining a deeper molecular understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms of action, in an attempt to understand individualised patient response.