Mechanical resonance in human chromosomes

Abstract

Summary form only given. Chromosomes are long molecules that naturally vibrate in different modes and are subject to random perturbations of the medium. Inducing vibration at the resonance frequency may be sufficient to cause the inactivation of the molecule by breaking chemical bonds. In this study we create a computational model of chromosomes and analyse the corresponding resonance frequencies. A simplified geometry is proposed to mimic chromosome arms. Each is represented by considering an eccentric cone. Running the simulations on a numerical package, the natural frequency was found for various chromosomes, in two modes of vibrations. Results show that each chromosome type presents different resonance frequencies in a range from 1.2 kHz up to 105 kHz. Changing mass and length of chromosome arm in a significant manner will produce a change in resonant frequency, as illustrated in the following graphics. This behavior may be use to derive new therapy forms targeting the destruction of mutated chromosomes.