Phys. Rev. E 76, 061910 (2007) - Soft elasticity of RNA gels and negative Poisson ratio

Soft elasticity of RNA gels and negative Poisson ratio

Amir Ahsan, Joseph Rudnick, and Robijn Bruinsma

Phys. Rev. E 76, 061910 – Published 19 December 2007

Abstract

We propose a model for the elastic properties of RNA gels. The model predicts anomalous elastic properties in the form of a negative Poisson ratio and shape instabilities. The anomalous elasticity is generated by the non-Gaussian force-deformation relation of single-stranded RNA. The effect is greatly magnified by broken rotational symmetry produced by double-stranded sequences and the concomitant soft modes of uniaxial elastomers.

Received 11 October 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.76.061910

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Amir Ahsan, Joseph Rudnick, and Robijn Bruinsma

Department of Physics, UCLA, Box 951547, Los Angeles, California 90095-1547, USA

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Issue

Vol. 76, Iss. 6 — December 2007

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