The first edition of this book was the first on the physics of DNA to go beyond the simple (simplified) 'linear' approach, and it has since been found that the inclusion of nonlinear effects leads to a significantly improved interpretation of experimental data. This new edition naturally retains this approach, but has been completely revised, updated and expanded to cover recent developments. Beginning with introductory chapters on DNA structure and dynamics, the book also includes a comparison between linear and nonlinear approaches to the DNA molecule, a chapter devoted to the statistics of nonlinear excitations of DNA, and examples for the interpretation of experimental data on the dynamics of DNA in terms of nonlinear theory. Essential reading for researchers in biophysics and nonlinear physics, allowing biologists, chemists and physicists to continue developing new and improved techniques of investigating the DNA molecule.

The first edition of this book was the first on the physics of DNA to go beyond the simple (simplified) 'linear' approach, and it has since been found that the inclusion of nonlinear effects leads to a significantly improved interpretation of experimental data. This new edition naturally retains this approach, but has been completely revised, updated and expanded to cover recent developments. Beginning with introductory chapters on DNA structure and dynamics, the book also includes a comparison between linear and nonlinear approaches to the DNA molecule, a chapter devoted to the statistics of nonlinear excitations of DNA, and examples for the interpretation of experimental data on the dynamics of DNA in terms of nonlinear theory. Essential reading for researchers in biophysics and nonlinear physics, allowing biologists, chemists and physicists to continue developing new and improved techniques of investigating the DNA molecule.

Nichtlineare Effekte sind für das Verhalten von DNA-Molekülen von entscheidender Bedeutung und erst ihre Berücksichtigung ermöglicht eine sinnvolle Auswertung von experimentellen Daten.

Nonlinear science is by now a well established field of research at the interface of many traditional disciplines and draws on the theoretical concepts developed in physics and mathematics. The present volume gathers the contributions of leading scientists to give the state of the art in many areas strongly influenced by nonlinear research, such as superconduction, optics, lattice dynamics, biology and biomolecular dynamics. While this volume is primarily intended for researchers working in the field care, has been taken that it will also be of benefit to graduate students or nonexpert scientist wishing to familiarize themselves with the current status of research.

This book highlights important aspects of nonlinear dynamics of biophysical nanosystems, such as DNA, alpha helix, and microtubules. It presents the differences between the linear and nonlinear models in these molecules and includes interesting chapters on Soliton dynamics of the DNA molecule. This book is meant not only for researchers but also for both graduate and undergraduate students. Chapters include derivations, detailed explanations, and exercises for students. Therefore, the book is convenient to be used as a textbook in suitable courses.

The stability of the DNA double helix is contingent on fine-tuning a number of physicochemical control parameters. Varying any one of them leads to separation of the two strands, in what constitutes a rare physical example of a thermodynamic phase transition in a one-dimensional system. The present book aims at providing a self-contained account of the statistical physics of cooperative processes in DNA, e.g. thermal and mechanical dissociation, force-induced melting, equilibria of hairpin-like secondary structures. In addition, the book presents some fundamental aspects of DNA elasticity, as observed in key experiments, old and new. The latter include some recently published scattering data on apparently soft, short DNA chains and their interpretation in terms of local structural defects (permanent bends, 'kinky DNA', after the original Crick-Klug hypothesis).The development of mathematical models used (Kratky-Porod polymer chain, Poland-Scheraga and Peyrard-Bishop-Dauxois models of DNA melting) emphasizes the use of realistic parameters and the relevance of practical numerical methods for comparing with experimental data. Accordingly, a large number of specially produced figures has been included.The presentation is at the level of an advanced undergraduate or introductory graduate course. An extra chapter provides the necessary mathematical background on elasticity of model polymer chains.

The interactions of DNA with force are central to manifold fields of inquiry, including the de novo design of DNA nanostructures, the use of DNA to probe the principles of biological self-assembly, and the operation of cellular nanomachines. This work presents a survey of three distinct ways coarse-grained simulations can help characterize these interactions. A non-equilibrium energy landscape reconstruction technique is validated for use with the oxDNA model and a practical framework to guide future applications is established. A novel method for calculating entropic forces in DNA molecules is outlined and contrasted with existing, flawed approaches. Finally, a joint experimental-simulation study of large DNA origami nanostructures under force sheds light on design principles and, through vivid illustrations, their unfolding process. This text provides an accessible and exciting launching point for any student interested in the computational study of DNA mechanics and force interactions.