Determination of relaxation time and related parameters of DNA with the Roussel–Jouan dichrograph

Abstract

The relaxation time of DNA was estimated from the change in apparent circular dichroism at 254 nm on stopping the flow of a DNA solution. The experimental measurements were made with a commercially available Roussel–Jouan dichrograph and checked both by measuring the change of relaxation time with temperature and by determining the molecular weight of DNA. The results are comparable with those obtained by other hydrodynamic methods.