Our group at the Laboratorio do Acelerador Linear (IFUSP- USP) is currently developing several studies related to the interaction of different kinds of radiation with DNA. Initially, our plan is to study the interactions proton-DNA, gamma-DNA and neutron-DNA. In this work we describe the most important features of the neutron-DNA study, which we plan to perform by selecting thermal, epithermal and fast neutrons. To improve the information about radiation-DNA interaction is important in order to achieve more secure and efficient cancer treatments by using radiation therapy. Nowadays, one important technique is the boron neutrons capture therapy, where neutrons are used to initiate a nuclear reaction at the tumor site. The effects of the neutrons on the health tissue, however, must be better understood. The study of neutron-DNA interaction, in this scenario, is of great importance. The research facility for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) in the IEA-R1 Reactor of the IPEN-CNEN/SP[1] will be used for studying the neutron-induced DNA damage. At present, we are evaluating the characteristics of the neutron flux at the biological sample, and we are carrying out simulations of the experimental procedure through Monte Carlos N Particle transport code system version 4C (MCNP-4C)[2] to find the experimental conditions necessary to minimize such contamination, and also verify the effects of those gamma's on the DNA molecule. The first step is the selection of filters configurations, which will allow us to irradiate the DNA sample with thermal, epithermal and fast neutrons. We present the results of our simulations, and describe the experimental setup show the best sets of materials necessary to obtain neutron spectra for different neutrons energies.

The progress of nuclear physics had allowed a better understanding of nuclear structure and reaction mechanisms, but also enables important applications of nuclear energy in our modern way of life. We can point out those ones related to power generation from nuclear reactors, providing an almost inexhaustive power source due to the huge quantities of nuclear fuel existent in our planet, which guaranties its utilization for thousands of years. The main interest is the so-called Hybrid Reactors (ADS - Accelerator Driven System), in which the reactor has a sub critical core and the chain reaction is sustained by an external source that comes from spallation reactions induced by high energy protons (about 1 GeV) from an accelerator, producing a large number of secondary particles (mainly neutrons). For those applications, precise knowledge about nuclear structure and nuclear reaction characteristics is needed.

We present the results of the polarization and intensity measurements versus photon energy Egamma = 5 - 35 MeV for the photon beam produced by the electron plane channeling with the energies 1.2 and 1.5 GeV in silicon crystals 500 mum and 290 mum thick along the (110) plane. The comparison with results of another research group and theoretical calculations indicate a qualitative agreement. The correlation between the shape of the radiation intensity spectrum and its polarization energy dependence is observed.

The ratio of the differential cross sections for the reactions 7 Li(p, 2p)6 He and 7 Li(p, pn)6 Li, at incident proton energy of 70 MeV, were analyzed in the framework of DWT approach. FSI and off-shell contributions were factorized and compared with appropriate experimental data.