RBE

RBE is an acronym that can refer to several concepts in different fields. The most common in scientific literature is Relative Biological Effectiveness, a measure used to compare the biological impact of different types of ionizing radiation.

Relative Biological Effectiveness is defined as the ratio of the dose of a reference radiation to the dose of another radiation needed to produce the same biological effect. RBE depends on multiple factors, including the biological endpoint (such as cell survival, DNA damage, or tissue injury), the type and energy of the radiation, the linear energy transfer (LET), the dose and dose rate, and the biological system being studied. Because these factors vary, RBE is not a fixed property and can differ between experiments and applications. In radiotherapy and radiobiology, RBE information informs treatment planning and safety standards. In clinical practice, approximate RBE values are used; for example, proton therapy is often assigned a nominal RBE around 1.1, though actual values can differ with context.

Resource-Based Economy is another usage of the acronym, describing a socio-economic concept in which goods and services are allocated based on resource availability and scientific planning rather than monetary exchange. Proponents argue that automation and efficient resource management could expand access to necessities and reduce waste. Critics raise concerns about measurement, governance, incentive structures, and the practicality of scaling such a system across diverse populations.

In other contexts, RBE may also refer to specific organizations, projects, or initiatives, depending on usage and field. The meaning of RBE thus depends on the subject area and accompanying terminology.