title: Soft elasticity of RNA gels and negative Poisson ratio.
abstract: We propose a model for the elastic properties of RNA gels. The model predicts anomalous elastic properties in the form of a negative Poisson ratio and shape instabilities. The anomalous elasticity is generated by the non-Gaussian force-deformation relation of single-stranded RNA. The effect is greatly magnified by broken rotational symmetry produced by double-stranded sequences and the concomitant soft modes of uniaxial elastomers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095-1547, USA.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahsan
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rudnick
authors.forename: Robijn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruinsma
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods; D004548:Elasticity; D020724:Elastomers; D005782:Gels; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016011:Normal Distribution; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D020724:Elastomers; D005782:Gels; D012313:RNA