Abstract

The dipole-dipole contribution to the energy of the pair interaction between DNA molecules has been calculated and analyzed. Rigid fragments of DNA, i.e., of a length of about the persistent length, which have discrete dipole moments of base pairs, are considered. For a given distance between the centers of mass of molecules, the energy of the dipole-dipole interaction is a function of three angular variables; the angles ϕ1 and ϕ2 between the central dipoles of both molecules and the z axis passing through the centers of the molecules, as well as the angle ξ between long axes of the molecules, are taken as these variables. It is shown that the dipole energy has minima when the mutual orientation of the molecules satisfies one of the following conditions: (i) ϕ1 = ϕ2 = 0 or (ii) ϕ1 = ϕ2 = π. The cholesteric twist angle ξ can be both positive and negative in dependence on the type of the minimum. For realistic cholesteric dispersion parameters, the dipole energy is only slightly lower than the experimentally known binding energy of the molecules in dispersion. The results allow the assumption that the dipole forces significantly affect the structure and other properties of DNA suspensions; in particular, they can lead to nontrivial texture phenomena, biaxial correlation, and multistability.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.