Simple and complex double-strand breaks induced by electrons

Biophysical modelling of DNA damage based on Monte Carlo simulation of charged particle tracks allows to describe radiation induced double-strand breaks (dsb) in a quantitative and qualitative way. Experimental and calculated data suggest that in the electron energy range from 50 eV to 1 MeV dsb can be grouped in simple and complex dsb. Complex dsb are mainly produced by low energy electrons with initial energies between ∼ 200 and ∼ 500 eV, whereas simple dsb are preferentially induced by energy transfers <200 eV, which produce at least two ionizations. (Author)