Freely relaxing polymers remember how they were straightened

Obermayer, Benedikt; Möbius, Wolfram; Hallatschek, Oskar; Frey, Erwin and Kroy, Klaus (February 2009): Freely relaxing polymers remember how they were straightened. In: Physical Review E, Vol. 79, No. 2: 021804-1

Abstract

The relaxation of initially straight semiflexible polymers has been discussed mainly with respect to the longest relaxation time. The biologically relevant nonequilibrium dynamics on shorter times is comparatively poorly understood, partly because "initially straight" can be realized in manifold ways. Combining Brownian dynamics simulations and systematic theory, we demonstrate how different experimental preparations give rise to specific short-time and universal long-time dynamics. We also discuss boundary effects and the onset of the stretch-coil transition.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Keywords: biomechanics; Brownian motion; molecular biophysics; polymers
• Faculties: Physics
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics
• ISSN: 1539-3755
• Place of Publication: ONE PHYSICS ELLIPSE, COLLEGE PK, MD 20740-3844 USA
• Language: English