Sequence-dependent force response during peeling of single-stranded DNA from graphite

We have analyzed the statistical thermodynamics of peeling single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) from the surface of graphite. Using recently measured parameters, we represent ssDNA as a polymer chain strongly adsorbed to a frictionless substrate using the freely jointed chain, wormlike chain, and rotational...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Vol. 81; no. 2 Pt 1; p. 021805
Main Authors Manohar, Suresh, Jagota, Anand
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.02.2010
Subjects
Adsorption
DNA, Single-Stranded - chemistry
Graphite - chemistry
Polymers - chemistry
Surface Properties
Thermodynamics
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Summary:We have analyzed the statistical thermodynamics of peeling single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) from the surface of graphite. Using recently measured parameters, we represent ssDNA as a polymer chain strongly adsorbed to a frictionless substrate using the freely jointed chain, wormlike chain, and rotational isomeric state models. All three models predict steady peeling force under force control, in agreement with single-molecule experiments. We predict that, for finite-length chains, the force response has measurable spikes under displacement control. These force spikes carry information about the underlying sequence of ssDNA, which might thus be measurable with a sufficiently stiff loading system. For the freely jointed chain model, under force control, we have obtained several exact closed-form results and provide relations between the measured peel force and the underlying adhesion free energy.
ISSN:1550-2376
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.81.021805