Mechanisms in bioorganic and biological chemistry

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Principles and methods of modern organic chemistry will be used to elucidate biochemical processes and to use analogues of such processes to achieve organic chemical transformations. By using organic chemistry, we design new molecules that test specific concepts and provide new materials that answer critical questions. The project has three main areas: (1) catalysis in the biochemical generation and utilization of carbon dioxide (2) development of efficient routes to unnatural aminoacyl t-RNA (3) modification of carbohydrates in water. In area 1, we have found that the release of carbon dioxide can depend on how fast it escapes from its site of formation, rather than how fast bonds break to form it. This goes against the previously established ideas. This will change how people evaluate the biological generation of carbon dioxide. We have developed a new method to do this quantitatively based on methods. In area 2, we have found the combination of metal and precursor that are driected to a single critical site in the complex RNA molecule, the site where nature activates amino acids for incorporation into proteins. With RNA modified in this way, we can build proteins with new components. We are improving the basic techniques and developing the methods for incorporation. In area 3, we have learned how to modify sugars in water, rather than organic solvents. We find that the specific site of reaction is controlled by unusual factors which permit us to create new carbohydrates derivatives without resort to environmentally harnful solvents.