Visible Light Induced Interactions with DNA by Rhodium Centered Supramolecular Assemblies

无机，生物无机和有机化学计划的这一奖项支持教授凯伦布鲁尔和布伦达温克尔研究可见光诱导的一类新的超分子复合物的相互作用，耦合电荷转移光吸收到中心铑核心。 DNA的反应性来源于独特的金属-金属电荷转移激发态（MMCT）。 具体目标是：1）构建显示可见光诱导的与DNA的相互作用的光化学活化的超分子组装体，2）建立利用先前未探索的MMCT激发态与DNA的氧非依赖性光活化反应性所必需的基本化学知识，3）研究可见光诱导的超分子复合物与DNA的相互作用，4）修饰超分子结构以增强与DNA的光活化反应。 研究结果将产生适用于DNA检测和分析、光动力疗法以及血液和其他生物医学液体的潜在灭菌的基本光化学知识。利用可见光切割DNA的新方法将随着潜在的生物技术应用而发展。 学生将在跨学科环境中接受培训，由两名女教授担任导师。对当地K-12的宣传将由项目团队的教授、研究生和本科生进行，包括实地参观教室、课后活动以及在当地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.