Lamontagne, M.
, Newell, S.
, Pazos, I.
, Tosh, R.
, Polf, J.
, Zwolak, M.
and Robertson, J.
(2025),
Single-molecule biodosimetry, Analytical Chemistry, [online], https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5c03303, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=958833
(Accessed January 10, 2026)
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Single-molecule biodosimetry
Published
Author(s)
, Shannon Newell, , , Jerimy Polf, ,
Abstract
Inferring characteristics of radiation exposure using biological molecules is extremely challenging and current methods lack a direct connection between dose and molecular response in many settings. Here, we demonstrate that resistive–pulse nanopore sensors enable single–molecule biodosimetry by quantifying the frequency of double–stranded DNA scissions versus gamma radiation dose. The resulting response curve shows an elongated Gaussian behavior, reminiscent of cell survival rates versus dose. We demonstrate that the competition of radical damage of DNA—i.e., single–stranded lesions that lead to breakage—with bimolecular radical loss captures the form of the response. These results open up new routes to real–time measurements of radiotherapy effectiveness in clinical settings, including precision radiation oncology and patient– and tumor–specific treatment, as well as rapid dosimetry for triage in emergency situations response.Citation
Analytical Chemistry
Pub Type
Journals
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Keywords
ionizing radiation, nanopore, biosensor, nanopipette, DNA
Citation
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Created August 20, 2025, Updated January 9, 2026