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- DNA (1)
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Many microorganisms possess circular molecules of plasmid DNA. Their conformation may vary from more compact to relaxed forms. Structural changes have important consequences for the physiological role of plasmids and will influence plasmid transcription, replication and their susceptibility to environmental stresses. Radiation is a common form of stress and can cause structural damage to DNA such as single (SSB) and double strand breaks (DSB). Recently, it has been indicated that secondary low-energy electrons play an important role in biological damage under vacuum condition. Therefore, our studies focus on irradiating the plasmid pUC19 with low-energy electrons for the first time under physiological conditions.
In dosimetry the determination of the effectiveness of the damaging processes is standardized and accounted for by the radiation and tissue weighting factor. For the underlying constituents of the tissue, that is the various biomolecules, such a systematic approach doesn't exist. This makes it difficult to compare results obtained under different experimental conditions. In the following work, we will describe a method to obtain comparable values for the radiation-biomolecule interaction, measured under different conditions. This approach can lead to standardization of dosedamage relationship at the molecular level. Such approach is necessary for a better understanding of the relations between the damage of the single constituents of biological tissue and the whole – finally gaining a more complete picture of irradiation damage.