Ion-induced ionization and fragmentation of DNA building blocks

The interaction of singly and multiply charged ions with DNA can play a crucial role in biological radiation damage processes. In proton or heavy-ion therapy, high-energy ion beams are already employed for tumour treatment. The most relevant bio-molecular processes occur in the Bragg-peak region and involve primary as well as secondary ions of much lower kinetic energies. Bio-molecular mechanisms relevant in this regime are largely unexplored. First steps towards a better understanding of the relevant processes are ion-induced ionization and fragmentation studies on DNA building blocks, either isolated or in clusters or deposited on surfaces. In this paper, we will briefly summarize the current state of knowledge regarding low-energy ion interactions with DNA building blocks and try to identify important open questions.