Visible Light Induced Interactions with DNA by Rhodium Centered Supramolecular Assemblies

无机化学、生物无机化学和金属有机化学项目的这一奖项支持凯伦·布鲁尔教授和布伦达·温克尔教授研究一类新型超分子络合物在可见光诱导下的相互作用，这些超分子络合物将电荷转移光吸收体耦合到中心铑核心中。DNA的反应性来源于一种独特的金属-金属电荷转移激发态(MMCT)。具体的目标是：1)构建具有可见光诱导的与DNA相互作用的光化学激活的超分子组件，2)建立开发以前未被探索的MMCT激发态与DNA的光激活反应所需的基本化学知识，3)研究可见光诱导的超分子络合物与DNA的相互作用，4)修饰超分子结构以加强与DNA的光激活反应。结果将产生基本的光化学知识，适用于DNA检测和分析、光动力疗法以及血液和其他生物医用液体的潜在灭菌。用可见光切割DNA的新方法将被开发出来，具有潜在的生物技术应用。学生将在跨学科环境中接受培训，由两名女教授担任导师。项目团队的教授、研究生和本科生将对当地的K-12进行外展，包括实地访问教室、课外项目，以及在当地的K-12机构内建立科学俱乐部。

This award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program supports Professors Karen Brewer and Brenda Winkel to study the visible-light-induced interactions of a new class of supramolecular complexes that couple charge transfer light absorbers into a central rhodium core. The DNA reactivity derives from a unique metal-metal charge transfer excited (MMCT) state. Specific goals are to: 1) construct photochemically activated supramolecular assemblies displaying visible light induced interactions with DNA, 2) establish basic chemical knowledge necessary to exploit the previously unexplored MMCT excited state for oxygen independent photoactivated reactivity with DNA, 3) study the visible light induced interaction of supramolecular complexes with DNA, 4) modify the supramolecular architecture to enhance photoactivated reactions with DNA. Results would generate fundamental photochemical knowledge applicable to DNA detection and analysis, photodynamic therapy and the potential sterilization of blood and other biomedical fluids. New ways of cutting DNA with visible light will be developed with potential biotechnology applications. Students would be trained in an interdisciplinary environment with two female professors serving as mentors. Outreach to local K-12 would be conducted by the professors, graduate students, and undergraduate students from the project team and would include on site visits to classrooms, after school programs, and establishing science clubs within local K-12 institutions.