Thermal denaturation of DNA studied with neutron scattering

Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Jan 28;106(4):048101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.048101. Epub 2011 Jan 24.

Abstract

The melting transition of DNA, whereby the strands of the double-helix structure completely separate at a certain temperature, has been characterized using neutron scattering. A Bragg peak from B-form fiber DNA has been measured as a function of temperature, and its widths and integrated intensities have been interpreted using the Peyrard-Bishop-Dauxois model with only one free parameter. The experiment is unique, as it gives spatial correlation along the molecule through the melting transition where other techniques cannot.

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Neutron Diffraction*
  • Nucleic Acid Denaturation
  • Transition Temperature*

Substances

  • DNA