Effects of Eye-phase in DNA unzipping

Abstract

The onset of an "eye-phase" and its role during the DNA unzipping is studied when a force is applied to the interior of the chain. The directionality of the hydrogen bond introduced here shows oscillations in force-extension curve similar to a "saw-tooth" kind of oscillations seen in the protein unfolding experiments. The effects of intermediates (hairpins) and stacking energies on the melting profile have also been discussed.