Abstract
Experimental findings that some polypeptides may be unstructured and
behave as entropically driven polymeric spacers in biological systems
motivates a study of confined polymers. Here we examine the confinement
of neutral, polyampholyte, and polyelectrolyte polymers between two
parallel surfaces using course grained models and molecular dynamics.
Forces between the confining surfaces are determined for different
polymer classes and as a function of chain length, charge sequence
(pattern) and degree of confinement. Changes in chain properties
are also evaluated under these conditions. The results reinforce
the significance of length and net charge for predicting chain properties.
In addition the clustering of charge along the chain appears to be
critical, and changes in cluster size and distribution produce dramatic
changes in chain behavior.
Users
Please
log in to take part in the discussion (add own reviews or comments).