Slow relaxation process in DNA at different levels of hydration

A. P. Sokolov, H. Grimm, A. Kisliuk, A. J. Dianoux

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

There are many speculations about the dynamic transition observed in hydrated bio- polymers at temperatures T ∼ 200 - 230K being an important factor for enabling of their functions. The transition shows up as a sharp increase of atomic mean-squared displacements above this temperature. The nature of the dynamic transition is not yet clear. Using inelastic neutron scattering we show in this Note that the transition in DNA is related to the appearance of a slow relaxation process. Decrease in the hydration level suppresses the process and the dynamic transition. It is found that, in terms of dynamics, the decrease in water content is similar in effect to a decrease in temperature. The obtained results support the idea that the dynamic transition is mediated by the water of hydration since bulk water has a dynamic transition around the same temperature.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)SN1-SN5
JournalJournal of Biological Physics
Volume26
Issue number3
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

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