Double chains with base pairing: delocalization irrespective to DNA sequencing

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that base pairing in disordered double DNA-like chains induces true electronic delocalization, regardless of the specific sequencing, challenging previous assumptions about DNA's conductive properties.

Contribution

It reveals that base pairing alone can cause delocalization in disordered double chains, highlighting a key mechanism for DNA's electronic behavior that was previously underestimated.

Findings

Disordered double chains exhibit truly delocalized electronic states.

Base pairing acts as an effective delocalization mechanism.

Delocalization occurs irrespective of the specific DNA sequencing.

Abstract

The question of whether DNA is intrinsically conducting or not is still a challenge. The ongoing debate on DNA molecules as an electronic material has so far underestimated a key distinction of the system: the role of base pairing (inter chain correlation) in opposition to correlations along each chain. In the present work we show that a disordered double-chain presents truly delocalized states. This effect is irrespective to the sequencing along each chain: DNA-like base pairing reveals to be an efficient delocalization mechanism.