Enhanced single strand breaks of supercoiled DNA in a matrix of gold nanotubes under X-ray irradiation

► Enhanced SSBs of scDNA molecules are observed when mixed with AuNTs are exposed to hard X-rays. ► Three interfacial properties related to AuNTs are proposed to explain the observed enhancement. ► Up to 15 times enhancement to DNA strand breaks is measured. ► Implications to biological applications are examined.