Back to Search Start Over

Rings in Random Environments: Sensing Disorder Through Topology

Authors :
Michieletto, Davide
Baiesi, Marco
Orlandini, Enzo
Turner, Matthew S.
Source :
Soft Matter, 2015,11, 1100-1106
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

In this paper we study the role of topology in DNA gel electrophoresis experiments via molecular dynamics simulations. The gel is modelled as a 3D array of obstacles from which half edges are removed at random with probability p, thereby generating a disordered environment. Changes in the microscopic structure of the gel are captured by measuring the electrophoretic mobility of ring polymers moving through the medium, while their linear counterparts provide a control system as we show they are insensitive to these changes. We show that ring polymers provide a novel non-invasive way of exploiting topology to sense microscopic disorder. Finally, we compare the results from the simulations with an analytical model for the non-equilibrium differential mobility, and find a striking agreement between simulation and theory<br />Comment: 8 pages,6 figures Accepted for publication in Soft Matter

Details

Database :
arXiv
Journal :
Soft Matter, 2015,11, 1100-1106
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1410.5980
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4SM02324B