DNA sequence from the unzipping force? : one mutation problem

Abstract

The possibility of detecting mutations in a DNA from force measurements (as a first step towards sequence analysis) is discussed theoretically based on exact calculations. The force signal is associated with the domain wall separating the zipped from the unzipped regions. We propose a comparison method (``differential force microscope'') to detect mutations. Two lattice models are treated as specific examples.

11 pages, 4 figures. Revised version with minor changes. Paragraph with discussion on experiments added. Accepted for publication in J. Phys. A as a Letter to the Editor