STUDIES FROM A.E. ALLAHVERDYAN ET AL ADD NEW FINDINGS IN THE AREA OF PHYSICS

Science Letter
May 12, 2009

Physics

"The thermally induced denaturation of DNA in the presence of an
attractive solid surface is studied. The two strands of DNA are
modeled via two coupled flexible chains without volume interactions,"
scientists in Yerevan, Armenia report (see also Physics).

"If the two strands are adsorbed on the surface, the denaturation
phase transition disappears. Instead, there is a smooth crossover to
a weakly naturated state," wrote A.E. Allahverdyan and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "Our second conclusion is that even when the
interstrand attraction alone is too weak for creating a naturated state
at the given temperature and also when the surface-strand attraction
alone is too weak for creating an adsorbed state, the combined effect
of the two attractions can lead to a naturated and adsorbed state."

Allahverdyan and colleagues published their study in Physical Review
E (How adsorption influences DNA denaturation. Physical Review E,
2009;79(3 Part 1):1903).

For additional information, contact A.E. Allahverdyan, Yerevan Physics
Institute, Alikhanian Bros St. 2, Yerevan 375036, Armenia.

The publisher’s contact information for the journal Physical Review
E is: American Physical Society, One Physics Ellipse, College Pk,
MD 20740-3844, USA.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress