Optical enhancement of DNA-base radio-resistivity

Abstract

We propose a mechanism which uses the simultaneous application of circularly polarized light and an external magnetic field to control the polarization of the free radicals and create S=1 electron-hole spin excitations (excitons) on nucleotide-base. We deploy an ab-initio molecular dynamics model to calculate the characteristic parameters of the light needed for optical transitions. The effect of spin-injection on the formation of a free energy barrier in diffusion controlled chemical reaction pathways leads to the control of radiation-induced base damage. The proposed method allows us to manipulate and partially suppress the damage induced by ionizing radiation. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.