DNA DSB damage from 3 to 10 eV electrons

["Strom, Daniel J" <daniel.j.strom@pnl.gov>]

RADSAFERs,

This is top class work in a premier journal.  The implications are yet to be
understood, but suffice it to say that if sub-ionizing electrons cause double
strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA by the mechanism shown by these researchers, then
ionizing radiation truly differs from chemicals in its genotoxic mechanisms.

Barry D. Michael and Peter O'Neill. Sting in the Tail of Electron Tracks.
Science Mar 3 2000: 1603-1604.

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/287/5458/1603 

and

Badia Boudaiffa, Pierre Cloutier, Darel Hunting, Michael A. Huels, and Leon
Sanche. Resonant Formation of DNA Strand Breaks by Low-Energy (3 to 20 eV)
Electrons. Science Mar 3 2000: 1658-1660

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/287/5458/1658

If your library subscribes to Science, then you can get full text (and figures)
from the above sites. 

The mechanism appears to be excitation of a DNA base by the electron, resulting
in a DSB. Judge for yourself.

- Dan Strom

The opinions expressed above, if any, are mine alone and have not been reviewed
or approved by Battelle, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, or the U.S.
Department of Energy.

Daniel J. Strom, Ph.D., CHP
Risk Analysis & Health Protection Group, Environmental Technology Division,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Mail Stop K3-56, PO BOX 999, Richland, Washington 99352-0999 USA
Telephone (509) 375-2626 FAX (509) 375-2019 mailto:daniel.j.strom@pnl.gov
Brief Resume: http://www.pnl.gov/bayesian/strom/strombio.htm
Pagemaster for  http://www.pnl.gov/bayesian   http://qecc.pnl.gov
http://bidug.pnl.gov
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