Researchers from the Physics Department at the University of Trento have discovered a link between radiation impact on DNA and the time it takes for the damaged DNA molecule to break irreversibly. The study, published in Biophysical Journal, found that the distance between damaged areas of DNA affects the time the DNA structure stays intact, providing the cell with more time to repair the damage. The researchers created computer simulations of double-stranded DNA sequence to mimic radiation damage and observe its behavior. Understanding the mechanisms of radiation damage to DNA could lead to more precise radiotherapeutic treatments and help mitigate side effects. The researchers aim to transfer the simulation from computers to a laboratory setting.
Wed, 09 Aug 2023 02:00:15 GMT | EurekAlert