The interplay between global constraints and local material properties of chain molecules is a subject of emerging interest. Molecules that are intrinsically chiral, such as double-stranded DNA, is one example. They exhibit a non-vanishing strain-twist coupling, which depends on the local geometry, i.e. on curvature and torsion, yet the paths of closed loops are restricted by White's theorem. We suggest that the reciprocation of these principles leads to a twist neutrality condition . I.e. to a zero sum rule for the incremental change in the rate of winding along the curve  . This has direct implications for plasmids. For small circular microDNAs it follows that there must exist a minimum length for these to be double-stranded. A first estimate of this minimum length is 120 base pairs. This is not far from the 80 base pairs which is about the smallest length observed in experimental studies. Slightly longer microDNAs are better described as an ellipse and a relationship between length and eccentricity for these is presented. In summary, molecular stability of chain molecules requires the local geometrical properties and the global topological properties to work in congruency .
The interplay between global constraints and local material properties of chain molecules is a subject of emerging interest. Studies of molecules that are intrinsically chiral, such as double-stranded DNA, is one example. Their properties generally depend on the local geometry, i.e. on curvature and torsion, yet the paths of closed molecules are globally restricted by topology. Molecules that fulfill a twist neutrality condition , a zero sum rule for the incremental change in the rate of winding along the curve , will behave neutrally to strain . This has implications for plasmids. For small circular microDNAs it follows that there must exist a minimum length for these to be double-stranded. It also follows that all microDNAs longer than the minimum length must be concave. This counterintuitive result is consistent with the kink-like appearance which has been observed for circular DNA. A prediction for the total negative curvature of a circular microDNA is given as a function of its length .
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Molecules
Studies of molecules
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They exhibit a non-vanishing strain-twist coupling, which depends
Their properties generally depend
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loops are restricted by White's theorem. We suggest that the reciprocation of these principles leads to
molecules are globally restricted by topology. Molecules that fulfill
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. I.e. to
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, will behave neutrally to strain
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direct
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A first estimate of this minimum length is 120 base pairs. This is not far from the 80 base pairs which is about the smallest length observed in experimental studies. Slightly longer microDNAs are better described as an ellipse and a relationship between length and eccentricity for these is presented. In summary, molecular stability of chain molecules requires the local geometrical properties and the global topological properties to work in congruency
It also follows that all microDNAs longer than the minimum length must be concave. This counterintuitive result is consistent with the kink-like appearance which has been observed for circular DNA. A prediction for the total negative curvature of a circular microDNA is given as a function of its length