6533b821fe1ef96bd127b81c

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Monte Carlo Simulations of Semi-Flexible Polymers

Kurt BinderMarcus MüllerWolfgang PaulM. R. StukanViktor A. Ivanov

subject

Persistence lengthchemistry.chemical_classificationQuantitative Biology::BiomoleculesPhase transitionChemistryMonte Carlo methodSingle chainPolymerQuantitative Biology::Subcellular ProcessesCondensed Matter::Soft Condensed MatterRigidity (electromagnetism)Statistical physicsMacromoleculePhase diagram

description

We present Monte Carlo simulations on the phase behavior of semiflexible macromolecules. For a single chain this question is of biophysical interest given the fact that long and stiff DNA chains are typically folded up into very tight compartments. So one can ask the question how the state diagram of a semiflexible chain differs from the coilglobule behavior of a flexible macromolecule. Another effect connected with rigidity of the chains is their tendency to aggregate and form nematically ordered structures. As a consequence one has two competing phase transitions: a gas-liquid and an isotropic-nematic transition potentially giving rise to a complicated phase diagram.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2005-08-10
https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-2760-5_8