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Twist-Stretch Elasticity of DNA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

Randall D. Kamien ,
T. C. Lubensky ,
Philip Nelson  and
Corey S. O'Hern
Randall D. Kamien
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
T. C. Lubensky
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Philip Nelson
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Corey S. O'Hern
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, ohern@lubensky.physics.upenn.edu
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Abstract

The symmetries of the DNA double helix require a new term in its linear response to stress: the coupling between twist and stretch. Recent experiments with torsionally-constrained single molecules give the first direct measurement of this important material parameter. We extract its value from a recent experiment of Strick et al. and find rough agreement with an independent experimental estimate recently given by Marko. We also present a very simple microscopic theory predicting a value comparable to the one observed.

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Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 463: Symposia EE – Statistical Mechanics in Physics and Biology , 1996 , 43
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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References

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