Long-range Charger transfer in DNA through Polaron Diffusion

TL;DR

This paper presents a model explaining long-range charge transfer in DNA via polaron diffusion influenced by hydrogen bonds and vibrations, aligning well with experimental data.

Contribution

It introduces a novel polaron diffusion model that accounts for proton and vibrational interactions in DNA charge transfer, providing a theoretical explanation for experimental observations.

Findings

Charge transfer rate matches experimental data

Polaron formation due to proton and vibration interactions

Diffusion coefficient explains long-range transfer

Abstract

Recent experimental evidence shows that the pi-orbitals along the stacking of base pairs can facilitate the long-range charge transfer in DNA. Proton motion in the base pair hydrogen bonds has also been found to affect the transfer rate. To explain this behavior we propose a model considering interactions of doped charges with hydrogen bonds and vibrations in DNA. The charge trapped by either protons or vibrations can cause structural distortions leading to polaron formation. By further considering polaron diffusion in DNA we find that the charge transfer rate derived from the diffusion coefficient is in agreement with the experimental results.