Ultrafast Dynamics in DNA‐Mediated Electron Transfer: Base Gating and the Role of Temperature

Abstract

The ultrafast dynamics of electron transfer (ET) between bases in DNA have been determined to elucidate the critical role of base-pair gating on the timescale of the electron transport and the temperature dependence of the rates. ET occurs only through DNA duplexes that adopt a specific, well-coupled alignment of bases (ET-active; see picture). Descriptions of ET dynamics must include fluctuations of DNA bases.