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Effects of hydration on free radical trapping in x-irradiated frozen polynucleotides

Conference ·
OSTI ID:400724
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Dept. of Biophysics
Native DNA in aqueous solution is surrounded by a solvation layer of 20--22 water molecules per nucleotide. These waters are distinguishable from the bulk water by virtue of being more tightly associated with the DNA. The w/w ratio of water to DNA (called {Gamma}) is {approximately} 1.0 for a fully hydrated DNA. When an aqueous DNA solution is frozen, it separates into two primary phases: ice and aggregates of hydrated DNA. Irradiation of such frozen solutions creates trapped radicals. With solid state EPR, the authors are able to study the distribution of free radical damage in the frozen DNA solution and thus better understand how the hydration shell influences that distribution.
OSTI ID:
400724
Report Number(s):
CONF-9410280--; ISBN 0-935470-90-5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English