RNA Condensation and the Wetting Transition

Toan T. Nguyen and Robijn F. Bruinsma
Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 108102 – Published 8 September 2006

Abstract

We present a continuum theory for the condensation of large, soluble, single-stranded RNA molecules on attractive substrates. In the mean-field approximation, the theory reduces to the Cahn–de Gennes description of wetting fluids and offers a natural explanation for the development of a sharply defined density profile following a prewetting surface phase transition. This mapping onto the wetting problem can break down because of a capillary instability where the adsorbed film decomposes into a collection of segregated, nonoverlapping molecules.

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  • Received 17 May 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.108102

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Toan T. Nguyen1,2,* and Robijn F. Bruinsma1

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California–Los Angeles, 475 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
  • 2Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California–Los Angeles, 607 East Charles Young Drive, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA

  • *Present address: School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 837 State Street, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.

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Vol. 97, Iss. 10 — 8 September 2006

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