Turbulent drag reduction and degradation of DNA

Phys Rev Lett. 2002 Aug 19;89(8):088302. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.088302. Epub 2002 Aug 2.

Abstract

Turbulent drag reduction induced by lambda-DNA is studied. The double-stranded DNA is found to be a good drag reducer when compared with the other normal linear polymers. However, this drag reducing power disappears when the DNA denatures to form two single-strand molecules. Mechanical degradation of DNA is also different from that of the normal linear-chain polymers: DNA is always cut in half by the turbulence. Our results suggest that the mechanism for turbulent degradation of DNA is different from that of the normal flexible long-chain polymers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriophage lambda / chemistry
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Physical
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry
  • DNA, Viral / chemistry*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Solutions

Substances

  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • DNA, Viral
  • Solutions