| Issue |
Europhys. Lett.
Volume 69, Number 1, January 2005
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 142 - 148 | |
| Section | Interdisciplinary physics and related areas of science and technology | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1209/epl/i2004-10306-3 | |
| Published online | 10 December 2004 | |
DNA loop statistics and torsional modulus
Laboratoire de Physique, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon 46 allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 7, France
Corresponding author: rossetto@mpipks-dresden.mpg.de
Received:
23
August
2004
Accepted:
28
October
2004
The modelling of DNA mechanics under external constraints is discussed. Two analytical models are widely known, but disagree, for instance, on the value of the torsional modulus. The origin of this embarassing situation is located in the concept of writhe. This letter presents a unified model for DNA establishing a relation between the different approaches. I show that the writhe created by the loops of DNA is at the origin of the discrepancy. To take this into account, I propose a new treatment of loop statistics based on numerical simulations using the most general formula for the writhe, and on analytic calculations with only one fit parameter. One can then compute the value of the torsional modulus of DNA without the need of any cut-off.
PACS: 87.15.La – Biomolecules: structure and physical properties: Mechanical properties / 36.20.Ey – Conformation (statistics and dynamics) / 82.35.Lr – Physical properties of polymers
© EDP Sciences, 2005
Current usage metrics show cumulative count of Article Views (full-text article views including HTML views, PDF and ePub downloads, according to the available data) and Abstracts Views on Vision4Press platform.
Data correspond to usage on the plateform after 2015. The current usage metrics is available 48-96 hours after online publication and is updated daily on week days.
Initial download of the metrics may take a while.