Design of prototype 3D DNA structures to evaluate biological damage, using Monte Carlo simulations

• Main Author: Σκύρλα, Μαρία
• Other Authors: Skyrla, Maria
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Monte Carlo simulation; DNA modeling; Ionizing radiation; Biological damage; Ιονίζουσα ακτινοβολία; Μοντελοποίηση της έλικας του DNA

Ionizing radiation (IR) is used in a variety of medical procedures for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. When employed as a treatment method, in radiotherapy, the main aim is to eradicate cancerous cells while exposing healthy tissues to the least amount of radiation. It is crucial in order to reach this goal, to precisely forecast the effects of the interaction of IR with biological matter. Additionally, the scientific community has made significant efforts to comprehend the response mechanisms started and generally involved in IR-induced DNA damage. This thesis presents a summary of the physics and biology behind the interaction of the DNA molecule with the ionizing radiation. The purpose of this study is the formation of a more realistic DNA structure. The modeling of the DNA helix and afterword a part of a bacterial DNA has been developed with the aid of the 3D modeling software SketchUp. Consequently, the bacterial DNA is imported to IDDRRA (DNA Damage Response to Ionizing RAdiation). A software that incorporates in one single framework the design of DNA molecules, the Monte Carlo simulation of the irradiation of the molecule and the analysis of simulation results.