Description of the system.

Abstract

(a): Solutions of random-sequence DNA (rsDNA) oligomers of length L are mixtures made of 4L distinct molecules, obtained by all the combinations of the four nucleobases, which are present at any position in the sequence with equal probability. (b): Each rsDNA oligomer can interact with 4L different rsDNA oligomers, leading to a 4L × 4L interaction matrix. Each dot in the matrix represents the most energetically favorable pairing between the two selected rsDNA oligomers, among all the possible mutual shifts. (c) Each position in the interaction matrix corresponds to a specific duplex motif, characterized by pairing errors which are here described by the parameters in α. The most probable duplex in the matrix is highly defected, as the last example in the panel.</p