Phase diagram of the ground states of DNA condensates

Abstract

Phase diagram of the ground states of DNA in a bad solvent is studied for a semi-flexible polymer model with a generalized local elastic bending potential characterized by a nonlinearity parameter $x$ and effective self-attraction promoting compaction. $x=1$ corresponds to the worm-like chain model. Surprisingly, the phase diagram as well as the transition lines between the ground states are found to be a function of $x$. The model provides a simple explanation for the results of prior experimental and computational studies and makes predictions for the specific geometries of the ground states. The results underscore the impact of the form of the microscopic bending energy at macroscopic observable scales.

5 pages, 5 figures, to appear in PRE Rapid Communication

References in corpus (3)

• From toroidal to rod-like condensates of semiflexible polymers
• Modulation of DNA loop lifetimes by the free energy of loop formation
• Theory and simulations of toroidal and rod-like structures in single-molecule DNA condensation

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• Phase behaviour and self-assembly of semiflexible polymers in poor-solvent solutions
• Energetic preference and topological constraint effects on the formation of DNA twisted toroidal bundles