Adiabatic ansatz in RNA folding dynamics

A statistical theory of the folding dynamics for an ensemble of random heteropolymers is developed. The theory hinges upon an adiabatic approximation which is validated by the broad separation between significant folding events recorded at the level of contact patterns and comparatively fast dihedral motion of the chain backbone. The results reveal the existence of a metastable folded phase as dynamic equilibrium in accord with experimental findings and a form of relaxation in the same universality class of other systems with quenched disorder.