Comment on "Writhe formulas and antipodal points in plectonemic DNA configurations"

TL;DR

This paper clarifies that the apparent disagreement between two studies on plectonemic DNA configurations arises from different methodological approaches, one focusing on classical elasticity and the other on statistical averages.

Contribution

It highlights that the differences in results are due to contrasting approaches, not fundamental disagreements, clarifying the relationship between elasticity and statistical analysis in DNA modeling.

Findings

Disagreement is due to different approaches, not conflicting results.

Classical elasticity and statistical averaging are complementary.

Clarifies interpretation of writhe formulas in DNA configurations.

Abstract

We point out that the disagreement between the paper by Neukirch and Starostin (Ref.[1]) and ours (Ref. [5]) is only apparent and stems from a difference in approach. Ref. [1] is concerned with classical elasticity and individual curves while Ref. [5] focuses on statistical averages over curves.