Radiation track, DNA damage and response-a review

Area of Science:

• Radiation Biophysics
• Condensed-Matter Physics
• Genomic Science

Background:

• Physics, particularly radiation physics, can elucidate biological mechanisms and cancer therapies.
• New genomic knowledge and technologies, alongside mathematical modeling, present opportunities in radiation biophysics.
• Understanding radiation-induced DNA damage and repair is crucial for targeted cancer therapy and genetic risk estimation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status and progress in radiation biophysics.
• To highlight the role of physics and mathematical modeling in understanding biological mechanisms and cancer therapies.
• To explore opportunities in targeted cancer therapy and genetic risk estimation using advances in physics and genomics.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing concepts from condensed-matter physics.
• Applying mechanistic mathematical modeling.
• Leveraging advances in experimental DNA repair and cell signaling research.
• Presenting developments in the physics of radiation track structure using the KURBUC computer code system.
• Simulating proton and carbon ion tracks in the Bragg peak region.
• Discussing models for elastic scattering and trajectory approach in low-electron transport.

Main Results:

• Recent developments in the physics of radiation track structure for low-energy electrons in water.
• Comprehensive discussion of the dielectric response function approach.
• State-of-the-art simulation of proton and carbon ion tracks.
• Critical discussion of scattering models and electron transport validity.
• Inclusion of mechanistic and quantitative aspects of microdosimetry, DNA damage, and DNA repair.

Conclusions:

• Physics, mathematical modeling, and genomic insights offer unprecedented opportunities in radiation biophysics.
• Mechanistically linking radiation-induced DNA damage to cellular outcomes is a significant future goal.
• Advances in understanding DNA damage and repair are vital for improving cancer therapies and assessing genetic risks.