CAREER: C-3'-Nucleic Acid Radicals: Generation and Mechanistic Investigations

氧化过程是许多化学和生化过程的核心，包括电离辐射或特定药物相互作用对核酸的损害。该项目包括合成修饰的核苷和核苷酸，这将有助于阐明DNA和RNA中C-3‘核苷酸自由基的降解机制。含有光活性官能团的修饰核苷将被合成并并入为研究损伤事件而设计的小DNA和RNA中。从这些特定部位功能化的核酸系统衍生的核苷自由基的性质和命运将通过各种化学、分析和生物物理方法来探索。将制定针对特定群体的理科硕士学位课程，以努力增加化学劳动力中代表性不足的少数族裔。这项计划专门针对那些对研究生学习准备不足或之前因缺乏适当准备而未能成功获得研究生学位的学生。在有机和高分子化学计划的这一职业奖的支持下，奥克兰大学化学系的阿曼达·布莱恩特-弗里德里希教授正在发展对导致DNA和RNA损伤的化学过程的理解。辐射、药物相互作用和其他氧化过程可导致核酸自由基的形成。通过合成和操纵修饰的核酸亚基，Bryant-Friedrich教授正在阐明这些自由基导致核酸降解的机制。布莱恩特-弗里德里希教授也在努力增加女性和少数族裔在化学劳动力中的比例。通过在奥克兰大学开发一个理学硕士项目，布莱恩特-弗里德里希教授将提供一个项目，目标是那些在学术上对研究生学习准备不足的学生，使他们走上就业或进入竞争性博士项目的轨道。

Oxidative processes are at the heart of numerous chemical and biochemical processes, including the damage of nucleic acids by ionizing radiation or specific drug interactions. This project involves the synthesis of modified nucleosides and nucleotides that will permit the elucidation of the mechanism of degradation of C-3' nucleotide radicals in DNA and RNA. Modifed nucleosides containing photoactive functional groups will be synthesized and incorporated into small DNAs and RNAs designed for the investigation of damage events. The nature and fate of nucleoside radicals derived from these site-specifically functionalized nucleic acid systems will be explored by a variety of chemical, analytical, and biophysical methods. A curriculum for a Master of Science degree will be developed, targeting specific groups in an effort to increase the pool of underrepresented minorities in the chemical workforce. This program specifically targets students who are ill prepared for graduate studies or who have not been successful in previous attempts to receive a graduate degree due to a lack of proper preparation.With the support of this CAREER Award from the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program, Professor Amanda Bryant-Friedrich, of the Department of Chemistry at Oakland University, is developing an understanding of the chemical processes which result in the damage of DNA and RNA. Radiation, drug interactions, and other oxidative processes can lead to the formation of nucleic acid radicals. Through the synthesis and manipulation of modified nucleic acid subunits, Professor Bryant-Friedrich is elucidating the mechanisms by which these radicals lead to nucleic acid degradation. Professor Bryant-Friedrich is also working toward increasing the representation of women and minorities in the chemical workforce. Through development of a Master of Science program at Oakland University, Professor Bryant-Friedrich will provide a program targeting students who are academically ill-prepared for graduate study, placing them on track for employment or for placement in competitive doctoral programs.