Low-energy electron-induced oxygen fixation to DNA SAMs studied by stimulated anion desorption

Abstract

Reactions of 18O2 with self-assembled monolayer films of thiolated DNA oligomers are studied by the electron stimulated desorption of anions. Electrons with energies < 20 eV initiate dehydrogenation of the DNA by resonant and non-resonant processes, to form radical sites for oxygenation. This damage mechanism may underlie the oxygen fixation process of radiobiology. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.