Ion beam processing of DNA origami nanostructures.

DNA origami nanostructures are emerging as a bottom-up nanopatterning approach. Direct combination of this approach with top-down nanotechnology, such as ion beams, has not been considered because of the soft nature of the DNA material. Here we demonstrate that the shape of 2D DNA origami nanostructures deposited on Si substrates is well preserved upon irradiation by ion beams, modeling ion implantation, lithography, and sputtering conditions.

Infrared Spectroscopic Study on Swift-Ion Irradiation of Solid NO-HO Samples: Synthesis of N-O Bearing Species in Astrophysical Ices.

As of early 2022, only six species bearing an N-O bond have been detected toward cold molecular clouds and regions of star formation. It is not clear yet if the small number of N-O bond species found in the interstellar medium so far stems from physical and technological limitations of astronomical detection techniques, or whether in fact molecules that bear an N-O bond are for some reason rare in these objects of the interstellar medium. Astronomical N-O bearing molecules are important because they are part of astrochemical models which propose that they are precursors of hydroxylamine (NHOH), a species linked to the formation of prebiotic amino acids in space.

Valine Radiolysis by H, He, N, and S MeV Ions.

Radiolysis of biomolecules by fast ions has interest in medical applications and astrobiology. The radiolysis of solid D-valine (0.2-2 μm thick) was performed at room temperature by 1.

Radioresistance of Adenine to Cosmic Rays.

The presence of nucleobases in carbonaceous meteorites on Earth is an indication of the existence of this class of molecules in outer space. However, space is permeated by ionizing radiation, which can have damaging effects on these molecules. Adenine is a purine nucleobase that amalgamates important biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, and ATP.

Radiolysis of astrophysical ice analogs by energetic ions: the effect of projectile mass and ice temperature.

An experimental study of the interaction of highly charged, energetic ions (52 MeV (58)Ni(13+) and 15.7 MeV (16)O(5+)) with mixed H(2)O : C(18)O(2) astrophysical ice analogs at two different temperatures is presented. This analysis aims to simulate the chemical and the physicochemical interactions induced by cosmic rays inside dense, cold astrophysical environments, such as molecular clouds or protostellar clouds as well at the surface of outer solar system bodies.