Force induced stretched state: Effects of temperature

TL;DR

This paper presents a model analyzing how temperature influences the extension of single-stranded DNA under constant force, revealing that extension can increase or decrease with temperature depending on the applied force, aligning with experimental observations.

Contribution

A semi-microscopic model of ssDNA under force and temperature is developed, explaining force-induced transitions observed experimentally.

Findings

Extension varies with temperature depending on force.

Model explains experimental force-induced transitions.

Exact calculations for small chains support the findings.

Abstract

A model of self avoiding walks with suitable constraint has been developed to study the effect of temperature on a single stranded DNA (ssDNA) in the constant force ensemble. Our exact calculations for small chains show that the extension (reaction co-ordinate) may increase or decrease with the temperature depending upon the applied force. The simple model developed here which incorporates semi-microscopic details of base direction provide an explanation of the force induced transitions in ssDNA as observed in experiments.