Splitting probabilities as a test of reaction coordinate choice in single-molecule experiments
Statistical Mechanics
2011-11-21 v2 Biomolecules
Abstract
To explain the observed dynamics in equilibrium single-molecule measurements of biomolecules, the experimental observable is often chosen as a putative reaction coordinate along which kinetic behavior is presumed to be governed by diffusive dynamics. Here, we invoke the splitting probability as a test of the suitability of such a proposed reaction coordinate. Comparison of the observed splitting probability with that computed from the kinetic model provides a simple test to reject poor reaction coordinates. We demonstrate this test for a force spectroscopy measurement of a DNA hairpin.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1105.0710,
title = {Splitting probabilities as a test of reaction coordinate choice in single-molecule experiments},
author = {John D. Chodera and Vijay S. Pande},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1105.0710},
year = {2011}
}