|
 |
|
Breakage processes in polymers and elastomers Physics of radiation-induced damage to DNA |
|
The understanding of degradation processes in (bio)materials relies on knowledge of the self-organisation processes that take place at molecular level. We study breakage processes in lyotropic systems and polymers using the latest developments in theoretical modelling: Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, stochastic Langevin dynamics, local density functional.
A typical example of a breakage process is radiation-induced DNA damage. There is a strong evidence to indicate that DNA is the most crucial target for ionising radiation in living cells. Radiation-induced breaks in DNA lead to mutations, carcinogenesis or death of a cell.