A multi-field approach to DNA condensation  

作　　者：冉诗勇 贾俊丽 

机构地区：[1]Department of Physics, Wenzhou University

出　　处：《Chinese Physics B》2015年第12期28-37,共10页中国物理B（英文版）

基　　金：Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.21204065 and 20934004);the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province,China(Grant No.Y4110357)

摘　　要：DNA condensation is an important process in many fields including life sciences, polymer physics, and applied technology. In the nucleus, DNA is condensed into chromosomes. In polymer physics, DNA is treated as a semi-flexible molecule and a polyelectrolyte. Many agents, including multi-valent cations, surfactants, and neutral poor solvents, can cause DNA condensation, also referred to as coil–globule transition. Moreover, DNA condensation has been used for extraction and gene delivery in applied technology. Many physical theories have been presented to elucidate the mechanism underlying DNA condensation, including the counterion correlation theory, the electrostatic zipper theory, and the hydration force theory. Recently several single-molecule studies have focused on DNA condensation, shedding new light on old concepts. In this document, the multi-field concepts and theories related to DNA condensation are introduced and clarified as well as the advances and considerations of single-molecule DNA condensation experiments are introduced.DNA condensation is an important process in many fields including life sciences, polymer physics, and applied technology. In the nucleus, DNA is condensed into chromosomes. In polymer physics, DNA is treated as a semi-flexible molecule and a polyelectrolyte. Many agents, including multi-valent cations, surfactants, and neutral poor solvents, can cause DNA condensation, also referred to as coil–globule transition. Moreover, DNA condensation has been used for extraction and gene delivery in applied technology. Many physical theories have been presented to elucidate the mechanism underlying DNA condensation, including the counterion correlation theory, the electrostatic zipper theory, and the hydration force theory. Recently several single-molecule studies have focused on DNA condensation, shedding new light on old concepts. In this document, the multi-field concepts and theories related to DNA condensation are introduced and clarified as well as the advances and considerations of single-molecule DNA condensation experiments are introduced.

关 键 词：DNA condensation coil–globule transition POLYELECTROLYTE Manning theory counterion correlation hydration force SINGLE-MOLECULE magnetic tweezers 

分 类 号：Q523[生物学—生物化学] TQ423.12[化学工程]