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Microscopic Elasticity of DNA from Torsionally-Constrained Stretching
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Abstract
We investigate the statistical mechanics of a torsionally constrained polymer. The polymer is modelled as an inextensible chain with bend rigidity A, twist rigidity C, and twist-stretch coupling D. In such a model, thermal bend fluctuations couple geometrically to an applied torque through the relation Lk = Tw + Wr. We explore this coupling and find excellent agreement between the predictions of our model and the single λ-DNA molecule stretching experiments of Strick et al. [Science 271 (1996) 1835]. This analysis affords an experimental determination of the microscopic twist rigidity C. Quantitative agreement between theory and experiment is obtained using C = 120 nm and D = 50 nm. The theory further predicts a thermal reduction of the effective twist rigidity induced by bend fluctuations.
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- Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998