# SOLID STATE RADIATION CHEMISTRY OF NUCLEIC ACID BASES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · 1989 · $135,841

## Abstract

The long term objective of this research project is to formulate a set of
rules that will predict both the type and probability of specific chemical
alterations produced in chromatin DNA by the direct effects of ionizing
radiation.  Achievement of this objective is important to defining the
risks associated with long term exposures to low doses of radiation:  risks
such as the induction of cancer or leukemia.

The specific aim is to fully characterize the free radical processes by
which ionizing radiation, through direct effects, alters the chemical
structure of the nucleic acid bases.  A full characterization entails 1.
the identification of the pristine free radicals, 2. the monitoring of the
subsequent reactions, 3. the measurement of the yield and destruction
constants, and 4. the determination of the influence of the host matrix on
radical formation, trapping, and subsequent reactions.  The bases will be
studied in the form of single crystals using electron spin resonance (ESR)
and electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy.  The free
radical products and reactions will be studied over a temperature range of
4.2K to 300K.  The series of crystals scheduled for study consist of simple
derivatives of the common nucleic acid bases.  An emphasis will be given to
thymine and adenine derivatives as the work is targeted toward working out
the distribution of free radical damage in a 1-methylthymine:adenosine
co-crystalline complex.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3170433
- **Project number:** 5R01CA032546-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F27KDXZMF9Y8
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM A BERNHARD
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $135,841
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-02-01 → 1990-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3170433

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3170433, SOLID STATE RADIATION CHEMISTRY OF NUCLEIC ACID BASES (5R01CA032546-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3170433. Licensed CC0.

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