Authors: R. Bulla, R. Gutierrez, and G. Cuniberti
Journal: in
Modern methods for theoretical physical chemistry of
biopolymers, edited by S. Tanaka, J. Lewis, and E. Starikow,
Elsevier (2006)
Measurements of electron transfer rates as well as of charge transport characteristics in DNA produced a number of seemingly contradictory results, ranging from insulating behaviour to the suggestion that DNA is an efficient medium for charge transport. Among other factors, environmental effects appear to play a crucial role in determining the effectivity of charge propagation along the double helix. This chapter gives an overview over charge transfer theories and their implication for addressing the interaction of a molecular conductor with a dissipative environment. Further, we focus on possible applications of these approaches for charge transport through DNA-based molecular wires.