10　Radiation-Induced Damage in DNA

Abstract

Among the pathways of radiation-induced damage to DNA, the formation of H₂O^·+ and an electron by direct energy deposition in the hydration layer of DNA plays a crucial role in the initial stage. The formation of neutral sugar-phosphate radicals originating from the deoxyribose-phosphate backbone contributes a large fraction of strand breakage. In addition, the interaction of low-energy electrons with the DNA molecule, and the formation of clustered DNA damage are discussed here.