Self-organization and double helices

The method of molecular dynamics is used to study the formation and self-organization of different configurations of double helices. Calculations are performed in the frames of so called beads-on a-string model with the help of a set of long-range anharmonic pair potentials obtained in the previous investigations. It is found that two different types of double helices, which consist of intertwined or inserted into each other helical chains, are formed from initially straight bead chains. The type of helix formed depends on the competition of weak interactions along the single chains and between them. In the case of rather long double helices, both types can undergo 'shape' transformation.