Approaches to regulation of gene functions - RNA interference and light

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Nucleic acids perform a wide array of biological functions, such as forming the building blocks of our genes. Many of these functions are highly regulated. Various chemical modifications of nucleic acids have been shown to affect the properties and functions of these molecules. The proposed research uses two distinct approaches to modulate nucleic acid properties. First, sugars will be attached to various sites of special nucleic acids called small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in order to improve the suitability of siRNAs as therapeutic drugs. Second, nucleic acids will be modified by incorporating motifs that undergo structural changes upon exposure to light of a specific wavelength. Consequently, the structures and functions of nucleic acids can be manipulated by light. These modifications may generate new directions in the biochemical and medicinal applications of nucleic acids.