Visualization of Biomolecular Radiation Damage at the Single-Particle Level Using Lanthanide-Sensitized DNA Origami

Precise monitoring of biomolecular radiation damage is crucial for understanding X-ray-induced cell injury and improving the accuracy of clinical radiotherapy. We present the design and performance of lanthanide-DNA-origami nanodosimeters for directly visualizing radiation damage at the single-particle level. Lanthanide ions (Tb³⁺ or Eu³⁺) coordinated with DNA origami nanosensors enhance the sensitivity of X-ray irradiation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed morphological changes in Eu³⁺-sensitized DNA origami upon X-ray irradiation, indicating damage caused by ionization-generated electrons and free radicals. We further demonstrated the practical applicability of Eu³⁺-DNA-origami integrated chips in precisely monitoring radiation-mediated cancer radiotherapy. Quantitative results showed consistent trends with flow cytometry and histological examination under comparable X-ray irradiation doses, providing an affordable and user-friendly visualization tool for preclinical applications. These findings provide new insights into the impact of heavy metals on radiation-induced biomolecular damage and pave the way for future research in developing nanoscale radiation sensors for precise clinical radiography.