The effect of a slit-like confinement on the relaxation dynamics of DNA is studied via a mesoscale model in which a bead and spring model for the polymer is coupled to a particle-based Navier–Stokes solver (multi-particle collision dynamics). The confinement is found to affect the equilibrium stretch of the chain when the bulk gyration radius is comparable to or smaller than the channel height and our data are in agreement with the (Rg,bulk/h)1/4 scaling of the polymer extension in the wall tangential direction. Relaxation simulation at different confinements indicates that, while the overall behaviour of the relaxation dynamics is similar for low and strong confinements, a small, but significant, slowing of the far-equilibrium relaxation is found as the confinement increases.
M. Chinappi, E. De Angelis (2011). Confined dynamics of a single DNA molecule. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS - ROYAL SOCIETY. MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES, 369, 2329-2336 [10.1098/rsta.2011.0096].
Confined dynamics of a single DNA molecule
DE ANGELIS, ELISABETTA
2011
Abstract
The effect of a slit-like confinement on the relaxation dynamics of DNA is studied via a mesoscale model in which a bead and spring model for the polymer is coupled to a particle-based Navier–Stokes solver (multi-particle collision dynamics). The confinement is found to affect the equilibrium stretch of the chain when the bulk gyration radius is comparable to or smaller than the channel height and our data are in agreement with the (Rg,bulk/h)1/4 scaling of the polymer extension in the wall tangential direction. Relaxation simulation at different confinements indicates that, while the overall behaviour of the relaxation dynamics is similar for low and strong confinements, a small, but significant, slowing of the far-equilibrium relaxation is found as the confinement increases.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
