Collapse and hybridization of RNA: view from replica technique approach.

The replica technique method is applied to investigate the kinetic behavior of the coarse-grained model for the RNA molecule. A non-equilibrium phase transition of second order between the glassy phase and the ensemble of freely fluctuating structures has been observed. The non-equilibrium steady state is investigated as well and the thermodynamic characteristics of the system have been evaluated. The non-equilibrium behavior of the specific heat is discussed. Based on our analysis, we point out the state in the kinetic pathway in which the RNA molecule is most prone to hybridization.