Analysis of DNA equilibrium configuration under interfacial traction.

ABSTRACT

Kirchhoff thin elastic rod models are important in the study of the mechanism determining the configurations of flexible structures not only at the macroscopic but also at the microscopic scale. In this study, the energy balance method has been well applied to analyze the configuration of a DNA elastic rod in the presence of interfacial traction. An approximate solution for the shape equations has been obtained, and the relationship between the interfacial factor and the configuration of the DNA segment is derived. The results may provide an explanation for the onset of the formation of kinks in DNA when immersed in a solution.