Chemical Synthesis and Applications of Oligonucleotide Analogues

我的研究计划是关于结构修饰的寡核苷酸的发展（DNA和RNA）和非天然寡核苷酸模拟物如肽核酸（PNA和PMO）：（1）扩大我们对核酸的化学，功能和生物学的理解;（2）将作为其他研究领域的序列探针和生物分子工具;和（3）可以作为基因表达的人工调节剂。 另一个研究领域致力于磁共振（MR）和正电子发射断层扫描（PET）医学成像造影剂的设计，合成，理解和应用。 我们在核酸化学领域的工作是由对新的生物分子工具的持续需求驱动的。 合成寡聚体可用作诊断探针，用于反义、抗基因、抗miRNA或基于RNAi的靶验证研究，用作适体和适体传感器，以及用于功能基因组学领域或用作实际的化学治疗剂。 由于西方大学Robarts研究所和伦敦健康科学网络在医学成像方面的实力，我们有机会建立一个发现癌症和阿尔茨海默氏症等严重疾病的新成像剂的计划。 这项工作是由一群有才华的本科生，研究生和博士后研究员谁联合收割机传统的溶液相小分子合成与固相合成，和关键仪器技术相结合。 我们与加拿大和国外的研究人员在核酸化学和医学成像方面进行合作。 因此，学员从我的实验室毕业，准备好进入化学和相关科学的专业以及专业课程，对科学的全球性表示赞赏。

My research program is concerned with the development of structurally modified oligonucleotides (DNA and RNA) and non-natural oligonucleotide mimics such as peptide nucleic acid (PNA and PMO) that: (1) expand our understanding of the chemistry, function and biology of nucleic acids; (2) will serve as sequence probes and biomolecular tools for other areas of study; and (3) may act as artificial regulators of gene expression. Another area of research is dedicated to the design, synthesis, understanding and application of contrast agents for medical imaging by magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET). Our work in the field of nucleic acid chemistry is driven by the continuing need for new biomolecular tools. Synthetic oligomers can be used as probes for diagnostics, for antisense, antigene, anti-miRNA or RNAi-based target validation studies, as aptamers and aptasensors, and in the area of functional genomics or as actual chemotherapeutics. Due to the strength in medical imaging at the Robarts Research Institute at Western University and at London Health Sciences network we have had the opportunity to build a program in the discovery of new imaging agents for serious diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. This work is undertaken by a cohort of talented undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral fellows who combine traditional solution phase small molecule synthesis with solid-phase syntheses, and key instrumental techniques. We collaborate with fellow researchers in Canada and abroad in nucleic acid chemistry and medical imaging. Thus, trainees graduate from my lab well-prepared to enter the professions in Chemistry and allied sciences as well as professional programs with an appreciation for the global nature of Science.