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Asymptotic results for a problem of DNA breakage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2016

Richard Cowan ,
David Culpin  and
David Gates
Richard Cowan*
Affiliation:
CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics, Lindfield
David Culpin*
Affiliation:
CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics, Canberra
David Gates*
Affiliation:
CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics, Canberra
*
∗ Present address: Department of Statistics, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
∗∗ Postal address: 63 Coonanbarra Road, Wahroonga, NSW 2076, Australia.
∗∗∗ Postal address: CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics, Box 1965, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
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Abstract

Double-stranded DNA molecules can be damaged by enzymic action or radiation, in a manner which creates randomly-located single-stranded breaks (nicks). The accumulation of these leads eventually to the double-stranded breakage of the molecule, because two opposite-strand nicks within a critical distance of each other establish conditions for breakage. We study the random variable N, defined as the number of nicks needed for double-stranded breakage to occur. We develop an asymptotic theory which is needed for practical computations.

Keywords

COVERAGE PROCESSSADDLEPOINT METHOD

Information

Type
Short Communications
Information
Journal of Applied Probability , Volume 27 , Issue 2 , June 1990 , pp. 433 - 439
Copyright
Copyright © Applied Probability Trust 1990 

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