Radiation-induced damage to cellular DNA: measurement and biological role

Emphasis is placed in this short review on recent developments concerning several aspects of the chemical and biochemical effects of ionizing radiation on both isolated and cellular DNA. This includes the mechanism of formation of single and tandem DNA lesions upon one-electron oxidation and one hydroxyl radical hit only. Information is also provided on the specificity of DNA repair enzymes and the measurement of radiation-induced damage in cellular DNA.