title: Entropically driven helix formation.
abstract: The helix is a ubiquitous motif for biopolymers. We propose a heuristic, entropically based model that predicts helix formation in a system of hard spheres and semiflexible tubes. We find that the entropy of the spheres is maximized when short stretches of the tube form a helix with a geometry close to that found in natural helices. Our model could be directly tested with wormlike micelles as the tubes, and the effect could be used to self-assemble supramolecular helices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Snir
authors.forename: Randall D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Kamien
mesh_terms: D003102:Colloids; D019277:Entropy; D008863:Microspheres; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017510:Protein Folding; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D011108:Polymers; D011506:Proteins