STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS

该项目的目标是获得对 核酸的构象和控制它们的力。 我们 将寻找核酸碱基序列之间的有用关联 及其结构和生物学功能。 更好地了解 核酸可以帮助预防或治愈所有疾病， 取决于核酸的功能。 这些疾病包括病毒性疾病， 遗传疾病和癌症。 将合成特定碱基序列的寡核苷酸以提供 DNA、RNA和DNA-RNA杂合体的结构元件。 热力学和 互补双链螺旋形成动力学，错配 测量螺旋和发夹环。 构象将是 在溶液中使用一维和二维核磁共振测定 共振测量 核酸中的三级和更高级折叠结构将被 利用圆偏振光的吸收和散射进行研究。

The goal of this project is to obtain a fundamental understanding of the conformations of nucleic acids and of the forces which govern them. We will seek useful correlations between the base sequence of a nucleic acid and its structure and biological function. A better understanding of nucleic acids may help in the prevention or cure of all diseases which depend on the functions of nucleic acids. These include viral diseases, genetic diseases and cancer. Oligonucleotides of specific base sequence will be synthesized to provide structural elements of DNA, RNA and DNA-RNA hybrids. Thermodynamics and kinetics of formation of complementary double-strand helices, mismatched helices and hairpin loops will be measured. Conformations will be determined in solution using one-and two- dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. Tertiary and higher-order folded structures in nucleic acids will be studied using absorption and scattering of circularly polarized light.