Free-energy landscapes of DNA and its assemblies: Perspectives from coarse-grained modelling

TL;DR

This paper discusses how coarse-grained models help analyze free-energy landscapes of DNA, revealing insights into its biophysical properties and assembly behaviors relevant to nanotechnology.

Contribution

It provides an overview of using coarse-grained modeling to characterize DNA free-energy landscapes, focusing on self-assembly and mechanical deformation.

Findings

Insights into DNA biophysical properties

Understanding of DNA self-assembly mechanisms

Analysis of mechanical deformation effects

Abstract

This chapter will provide an overview of how characterizing free-energy landscapes can provide insights into the biophysical properties of DNA, as well as into the behaviour of the DNA assemblies used in the field of DNA nanotechnology. The landscapes for these complex systems are accessible through the use of accurate coarse-grained descriptions of DNA. Particular foci will be the landscapes associated with DNA self-assembly and mechanical deformation, where the latter can arise from either externally imposed forces or internal stresses.