Structure factor and dynamics of the helix-coil transition

Abstract

Thermodynamical properties of the helix-coil transition were successfully described in the past by the model of Lifson, Poland and Sheraga. Here we compute the corresponding structure factor and show that it possesses a universal scaling behavior near the transition point, even when the transition is of first order. Moreover, we introduce a dynamical version of this model, that we solve numerically. A Langevin equation is also proposed to describe the dynamics of the density of hydrogen bonds. Analytical solution of this equation shows dynamical scaling near the critical temperature and predicts a gelation phenomenon above the critical temperature. In the case when comparison of the two dynamical approaches is possible, the predictions of our phenomenological theory agree with the results of the Monte Carlo simulations.

11 pages, 7 figures

References in corpus (7)

• Why is the DNA Denaturation Transition First Order?
• Order of the phase transition in models of DNA thermal denaturation
• Roles of stiffness and excluded volume in DNA denaturation
• A Simple Model for the DNA Denaturation Transition
• Reparametrizing loop entropy weights: Effect on DNA melting curves
• Scaling in DNA unzipping models: denaturated loops and end-segments as branches of a block copolymer network
• Inter-strand distance distribution of DNA near melting

Cited by in corpus (8)

• Diffusion in a logarithmic potential: scaling and selection in the approach to equilibrium
• Theoretical and Experimental Investigations of DNA Open States
• DNA breathing dynamics: Analytic results for distribution functions of relevant Brownian functionals
• DNA denaturation and wetting in the presence of disorder
• Unwinding dynamics of double-stranded polymers
• Looking into DNA breathing dynamics via quantum physics
• Equilibrium winding angle of a polymer around a bar
• Multiple timescales in a model for DNA denaturation dynamics