In Vitro Effects of Gamma Radiation from 60Co and 137Cs on Plasmid DNA

The effects of gamma radiation from 60Co and 137Cs on DNA in aqueous solution are studied experimentally. Using an improved plasmid purification protocol and improved electrophoretic gel analysis techniques provided results with relatively small uncertainties. The results are compared with both theoretical and experimental results. In particular, the results obtained here are discussed in the light of recent discussion on supposed differences of the effects induced by gamma radiation from 60Co and 137Cs. We find that the effects of both types of gamma radiation are similar.