Blinking statistics of a molecular beacon triggered by end-denaturation of DNA

Summary, in English

We use a master equation approach based on the Poland–Scheraga free energy for DNA denaturation to investigate the (un)zipping dynamics of a denaturation wedge in a stretch of DNA that is clamped at one end. In particular, we quantify the blinking dynamics of a fluorophore–quencher pair mounted within the denaturation wedge. We also study the behavioural changes in the presence of proteins that selectively bind to single-stranded DNA. We show that such a set-up could be well suited as an easy-to-implement nanodevice for sensing environmental conditions in small volumes.

• Author: Tobias Ambjörnsson; Ralf Metzler
• Publishing year: 2005-12-14
• Language: English
• Pages: 4305-4316
• Publication/Series: Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 49
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/17/49/022
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Topic: Biophysics; Other Physics Topics
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 0953-8984