Kinetics of the Melting Transition in DNA

Abstract

We investigate the kinetics of the DNA melting transition using modified versions of the Peyrard-Dauxois-Bishop and Poland-Scheraga models that include long and short range interactions. Using Brownian dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, we observe metastable states prior to nucleation and demonstrate that the profile and growth modes of the critical droplet can have both classical and spinodal characteristics depending on the interaction range and the temperature quench depth.