Induction of single- and double-strand breaks in plasmid DNA by 100–1500 eV electrons

Abstract

Electrons within the energy; range of the secondary electrons generated by high-energy ionizing radiation induce single, double and multiple double-strand breaks in DNA. Problems associated with low-energy electron irradiation experiments and dose calculations in thin films are also discussed.

Transport properties of electron swarms in tetrahydrofuran under the influence of an applied electric field

“…These are often reported in the pulsed Townsend experiment configuration [43]. Substitution of expansions (2) and (3) into the continuity equation (1) yields the diffusion equation…”

“…The process of dissociative electron attachment (DEA) can lead to single and double strand breaks directly, or indirectly through the formation of free radicals which interact with the DNA. The pioneering study of Sanche and co-workers [1,2] has subsequently motivated much research into electron collision processes with subunits and constituents of the moieties that constitute DNA and RNA.…”

Proton and light ion RBE for the induction of direct DNA double strand breaks

“…6 increase of the uncertainties associated with electron position and momentum. 15,16 Also, processes other than ionizations are known to be effective at inducing SBs, even below the ionization threshold for liquid water 39 and they are currently not adequately simulated. In addition, accurate cross sections for DNA constituents at low electron energies surrounding liquid water were not measured until very recently and are not integrated in most MC codes.…”

DNA Protection against Damages Induced by Low-Energy Electrons: Absolute Cross Sections for Arginine–DNA Complexes

“…Other methods have addressed the direct and quasi-direct effects of HER and secondary electrons (SEs) on DNA or its constituents. ,,− Among these, thin film technology combined with monoenergetic electron beam techniques has allowed adoption of a “bottom up” approach in which one can study DNA damage from electron energies as low as 0.5 eV up to several keVs. − As the electron energy is increased, different phenomena gradually step in, and it becomes possible to experimentally distinguish their effects on DNA damage. For example, it has recently been possible to isolate completely from HER-induced chemistry in dry DNA the role of shape resonances [i.e., single-particle transient anions (TAs)] .…”