Topological Origin of the Phase Transition in a Model of DNA Denaturation

TL;DR

This study provides evidence that the phase transition in DNA denaturation is fundamentally linked to a topological change in the potential energy landscape, supporting the hypothesis that topology underpins phase transitions.

Contribution

It offers direct evidence connecting topological changes in the energy hypersurface to phase transitions in a DNA denaturation model.

Findings

Topological changes correlate with the phase transition point.

Supports the hypothesis that topology underlies phase transitions.

Provides a concrete example in a biological system.

Abstract

The hypothesis that phase transitions originate from some topological change of the critical level hypersurface of the potential energy receives direct evident support by our study of the Bishop--Peyrard model of DNA thermal denaturation.