Nonlinear Localized Excitations and the Dynamics of H-Bonds in DNA

TL;DR

This paper investigates models of DNA hydrogen-bond dynamics, revealing that nonlinear localized excitations can occur and significantly affect phonon propagation, which may influence DNA function.

Contribution

It demonstrates the presence of nonlinear localized excitations in DNA models and analyzes their impact on phonon scattering, offering insights into biomolecular dynamics.

Findings

NLEs are generically allowed in DNA models

Phonons are strongly reflected by NLEs

Results relate to DNA functioning mechanisms

Abstract

We analyze typical models which intend to describe (parts of) the dynamics of H-Bonds in DNA. We show that these models generically allow for nonlinear localized excitatons (NLEs) (discrete breathers). We especially study the scattering of phonons by NLEs and observe strong reflection of phonons by the NLE. We relate our results to the problem of functioning of a complex biomolecule, e.g. the DNA.