A simple theory and Monte Carlo simulations for recognition between random heteropolymers and disordered surfaces

We study the adsorption of random heteropolymers (RHPs) on disordered multifunctional surfaces. Recent replica calculations suggest that when the statistics describing the sequence distribution and the surface site distributions are related in a special way, a first-order adsorption transition occurs in such systems. This phenomenon of recognition between RHPs and disordered surfaces due to statistical pattern matching is studied via Monte Carlo simulations and a simple nonreplica theory. The theory serves to elucidate the simulation results, and suggests that the origin of the first-order adsorption transition is the suppression of loop fluctuations due to competing interactions and the quenched disorder (i.e., frustration).