Proton-induced single electron capture on DNA/RNA bases.

In this work, we report total cross sections for the single electron capture process induced on DNA/RNA bases by high-energy protons. The calculations are performed within both the continuum distorted wave and the continuum distorted wave-eikonal initial state approximations. The biological targets are described within the framework of self-consistent methods based on the complete neglect of differential overlap model whose accuracy has first been checked for simpler bio-molecules such as water vapour.

Theoretical ionization and capture cross sections for DNA nucleobases impacted by light ions.

Purpose: Although DNA lesions are considered of prime importance for describing the post-irradiation cellular survival, they still remain rarely studied on both experimental and theoretical sides. Under these conditions, we here propose different theoretical models for predicting the single ionization and single capture total cross sections for DNA bases impacted by protons.

Material And Methods: Three theoretical approaches are developed: a first classical one based on a classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) model and two quantum mechanical ones, namely, a Coulomb Born (CB1) and a continuum-distorted wave eikonal-initial-state (CDW-EIS) model.

Theoretical predictions for ionization cross sections of DNA nucleobases impacted by light ions.

Induction of DNA double strand breaks after irradiation is considered of prime importance for producing radio-induced cellular death or injury. However, up to now ion-induced collisions on DNA bases remain essentially experimentally approached and a theoretical model for cross section calculation is still lacking. Under these conditions, we here propose a quantum mechanical description of the ionization process induced by light bare ions on DNA bases.