Statistical mechanics and topology of polymer systems

本项目旨在研究长聚合物体系在溶液中的行为，以及温度、溶剂和其他环境性质的影响。聚合物模型捕捉到了DNA等现实世界分子的重要物理性质。这个项目将研究紧密受限空间中聚合物链的拓扑结构。打结和连接阻碍了DNA复制等重要的生物过程，这个项目将研究缠结是如何形成的，以及如何利用生物机制来管理它。该项目预计将产生重要的生物学后果，并加强澳大利亚作为统计力学研究中心的地位。

This project aims to study the behaviour of systems of long polymers in solution, and the effects of temperature, solvent and other environmental properties. Polymer models capture important physical properties of real-world molecules like DNA. This project will study the topology of polymer chains in tightly confined spaces. Knots and links hinder important biological processes like DNA replication, and this project will research how entanglement forms and how the biological mechanisms are used to manage it. The project is expected to have both important biological consequences and to enhance Australia's position as a centre for research in statistical mechanics.