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Summary

Our research interests are in the physics and physical chemistry of polymer behavior, with special attention to biopolymers. We have developed the widely used theories of counterion condensation on polyelectrolytes and territorial binding of ionic ligands to biopolymers. These models have enabled us to understand the influence of ionic forces on biopolymer conformational changes, such as the helix-coil transitions of polynucleotides and polysaccharides and the right-handed to left-handed helical transition of DNA. A major current interest is in DNA packaging. We have made progress in learning why DNA folds into a virus-like particle when its phosphate charge is neutralized. We are also studying the role of the elastic resilience of DNA in transitions involving open and folded states of chromosomes.

"Electrostatic free energy of the DNA double helix calculated by counterion condensation theory," G. S. Manning. Biophys Chem 2002; special issue honoring John Schellman

"Counterion association with native and denatured nucleic acids: an experimental approach," J. Völker, H.H. Klump, G.S. Manning, and K.J. Breslauer. J Mol Biol 2001; 310, 1011-1025.

"Counterion condensation on a helical charge lattice," G.S. Manning. Macromolecules 2001; 34, 4650-4655.

"Inverted Forces in Counterion Condensation Theory," J. Ray, G.S. Manning. Physical Chemistry of Polyelectrolytes. T. Radeva, ed. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2001.

"An Interpretation of Small Ion Effects on the Electrostatics of the lambda Repressor DNA Complex," N.L. Marky, G.S. Manning. J Am Chem Soc 2000; 122 :6057-6066

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