Manipulating a single adsorbed DNA for a critical endpoint

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the existence of a critical endpoint in the phase diagram of adsorbed DNA unzipping, revealing how base pairing, adsorption, and external force interplay to produce critical phenomena.

Contribution

The study provides exact results identifying and characterizing a critical endpoint in the phase diagram of adsorbed DNA unzipping, a novel insight into DNA mechanics.

Findings

Existence of a critical endpoint in DNA unzipping phase diagram

Exact determination of the critical endpoint location

Classical nature of the critical point established

Abstract

We show the existence of a critical endpoint in the phase diagram of unzipping of an adsorbed double-stranded (ds) polymer like DNA. The competition of base pairing, adsorption and stretching by an external force leads to the critical end point. From exact results, the location of the critical end point is determined and its classical nature established.