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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
Published on: August 2, 2012
Water percolation governs polymorphic transitions and conductivity of DNA
Ivan Brovchenko1, Aliaksei Krukau, Alla Oleinikova
1Physical Chemistry, Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, Dortmund, D-44227, Germany. brov@heineken.chemie.uni-dortmund.de
Abstract:
We report on the first computer simulation studies of the percolation transition of water at the surface of the DNA double helix. With increased hydration, the ensemble of small clusters merges into a spanning water network via a quasi-two-dimensional percolation transition. This transition occurs strikingly close to the hydration level where the B form of DNA becomes stable in experiment. Formation of spanning water networks results in sigmoidlike acceleration of long-range ion transport in good agreement with experiment.
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