Theoretical approach for analysis of radiation damage on DNA building blocks

What is it about?

Ionizing radiations used in cancer treatments induce severe damage to biological tissues, in particular DNA. Important damage is due to the secondary particles generated in the process, as ions. We look at action of ions on the different DNA building blocks, here the nucleobase thymine. A theoretical approach has been developed which may provide a tool to compare the action of ions on the different building blocks in order to analyse which block could be destroyed more efficiently.

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Why is it important?

This theoretical tool provides a numerical comparison of the action of ions on biological targets. Radiosensitivity effect can be analyzed. The anisotropy is considered. Charge and nature of the projectile (carbon ions, protons) is taken explicitely into account Different nucleobases: uracil (10.1103/PhysRevA.72.052706; 10.1103/PhysRevA.74.054702), thymine, halouracil (10.1103/PhysRevA.79.012710) and the sugar block involved in nucleosides have been considered (10.1021/jp408570b)