Blinking statistics of a molecular beacon triggered by end-denaturation of DNA

We use a master equation approach based on the Poland-Scheraga free energy for DNA denaturation to investigate the (un)zipping dynamics of a denaturation wedge in a stretch of DNA, that is clamped at one end. In particular, we quantify the blinking dynamics of a fluorophore-quencher pair mounted within the denaturation wedge. We also study the behavioural changes in the presence of proteins, that selectively bind to single-stranded DNA. We show that such a setup could be wellsuited as an easy-to-implement nanodevice for sensing environmental conditions in small volumes. PACS numbers: 87.15.-v, 05.40.-a, 82.37.-j, 87.14.Gg