Exploration of the Dissociative Recombination following DNA ionization to DNA$^{+}$ due to ionizing radiation
ORAL
Abstract
It is known that ionizing radiation generates low-energy secondary electrons, which may interact with the surrounding area, including biomolecules, such as triggering DNA single strand and double strand breaks as demonstrated by Sanche and coworkers (\textit{Radiat. Res.} \textbf{157} 227(2002)). The bio-effects of low-energy electrons are currently a topic of high interest. Most of the studies are dedicated to dissociative electron attachments; however, the area is still mostly unexplored and still not well understood. We are computationally investigating the effect of ionizing radiation on DNA, such as its ionization to DNA$^{+}$. More specifically, we are exploring the possibility of the dissociative recombination of the temporary DNA$^{+}$ with one of the low-energy secondary electrons, produced by the ionizing radiation, to be another process of DNA strand breaks. Our preliminary results, which are performed with the binaries of ORCA, will be presented.
*Authors wish to give special thanks to Pacific Union College Student Senate in Angwin, California, for their financial support.
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