title: DNA Breathing Dynamics in the Presence of a Terahertz Field.
abstract: We consider the influence of a terahertz field on the breathing dynamics of double-stranded DNA. We model the spontaneous formation of spatially localized openings of a damped and driven DNA chain, and find that linear instabilities lead to dynamic dimerization, while true local strand separations require a threshold amplitude mechanism. Based on our results we argue that a specific terahertz radiation exposure may significantly affect the natural dynamics of DNA, and thereby influence intricate molecular processes involved in gene expression and DNA replication.
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Division and Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Alexandrov
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gelev
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usheva
authors.forename: K Ø
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Rasmussen