Statistical mechanical modeling of a DNA nanobiostructure at the base-pair level

Ashkan Shekaari and Mahmoud Jafari

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 2019, vol. 518, issue C, 80-88

Abstract: We have modeled a double-stranded DNA nanostructure within the framework of statistical mechanics and ensemble theory as composed of a large number of base pairs with rotational degrees of freedom around the bases to generate helical or bent configurations. Different binding energies associated with the two kinds of the base pairs have been found only via statistical considerations and as an implication of the tendency of the system to minimize its free energy irrespective of the nature or the number of bonds making the base pairs. The temperature-dependent alternative for the relation of information capacity has been also derived in the canonical formalism as a more realistic expression compared to its microcanonical counterpart with a possible importance in DNA-based, information-bearing, nano-scale devices. Results demonstrate the degeneracy associated with the rotational degrees of freedom as a potential factor for further increasing the information capacity of such a nanobiostructure.

Keywords: DNA nanostructure; Statistical mechanics; Informational properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:518:y:2019:i:c:p:80-88

DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2018.11.054

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