Presidential Young Investigator Award: Molecular Recognition and Biomimetic Chemistry

本总统青年研究员奖授予有机和大分子化学项目，为伊利诺伊大学Steven Zimmerman博士的工作提供支持。这项工作主要集中在机械生物有机化学的两个领域：(1)DNA的分子识别和(2)仿生化学。DNA的分子识别将允许开发选择性结合DNA的探针。这些随后将提供改变DNA特性的手段，从而可以对其设计进行细微的改变。仿生研究将使我们更好地理解酶催化的各个方面。更具体地说，分子“镊子”正在准备中，它有望只结合DNA螺旋的末端或结构异常，如提出的β -扭结位点。此外，主要的槽插入器正在研究中。仿生研究已经建立了一个立体电子校正的凝乳胰蛋白酶电荷接力模型，目前正在进行详细的研究。

This Presidential Young Investigator Award given in the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program provides support for the work of Dr. Steven Zimmerman, University of Illinois. This work is focused on two areas of mechanistic bioorganic chemistry: (1) the molecular recognition of DNA and (2) biomimetic chemistry. Molecular recognition of DNA will allow probes to be developed which selectively bind to DNA. These subsequently will provide the means for changing the properties of DNA so subtle alterations in its design can be made. Biomimetic studies will allow a better understanding of the various aspects of enzymatic catalysis. More specifically, molecular "tweezers" are being prepared which are expected to bind exclusively at the end of DNA helices or at structural abnormalities such as the proposed beta-kink site. In addition, major groove intercalators are being investigated. Biomimetic studies have produced a stereoelectronically correct charge relay model for chymotrypsin which is currently being studied in detail.