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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Theoretical models for tension-dependent DNA looping time

Wout Laeremans and Wouter G. Ellenbroek*

  • Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Department of Applied Physics and Science Education, and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, Netherlands

  • *Contact author: w.g.ellenbroek@tue.nl
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Phys. Rev. Research 7, L032041 – Published 22 August, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/pq2d-t5lx

Abstract

The influence of tension on DNA looping has been studied both experimentally and theoretically in the past. However, different theoretical models have yielded different predictions, leaving uncertainty about their validity. These currently available models rely on approximations, which we here show to be valid only for short molecules. We briefly review the predictions of those models and propose a model that demonstrates exceptional agreement with simulations for long semiflexible chains. Additionally, we elucidate the relationship between our result and that of the previously proposed two-state model, highlighting the distinct interpretative approach that underpins our framework. Our findings offer predictive insights that pave the way for future experimental validation.

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Phys. Rev. Research 7, L032041– Published 22 August, 2025
  • Received 17 January 2025
  • Accepted 12 July 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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