The Sensitivity ofEscherichia Colito Ionizing Particles of Different LETs

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Abstract
The inactivation doses for E. coli exposed to a-particles and protons of different LETs [linear energy transfer] and to y-rays were measured. These were interpreted by the target theory in terms of 2 types of lethal damage to the bacterial genome. Damage of type-1 affects only 1 strand of the DNA macromolecule and its partially reparable in-vivo. Damage of type-2 following 1 track intersection of the DNA affects both strands and is irreparable. Type-1 damage does not appear to cause appreciable inactivation by producing "base" mu- tations but may lead to a lesion recognizable in-vitro as a single-strand break. Type-2 damage probably corresponds to double strand "scission" of DNA as observed in-vitro.

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