Chemical Synthesis and Applications of Oligonucleotide Analogues

我的研究项目涉及结构修饰寡核苷酸（DNA和RNA）和非天然寡核苷酸模拟物（如肽核酸（PNA和PMO））的发展：(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；(3)可作为基因表达的人工调节因子。另一个研究领域是致力于通过磁共振（MR）和正电子发射断层扫描（PET）进行医学成像的造影剂的设计、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。合成的低聚物可以用作诊断探针，用于反义、抗原、抗mirna或基于rna的靶标验证研究，作为适配体和适配体传感器，在功能基因组学领域或作为实际的化疗药物。由于西方大学罗伯特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项目，发现新的显像剂，用于治疗癌症和阿尔茨海默氏症等严重疾病。******这项工作是由一群才华横溢的本科生、研究生和博士后共同完成的，他们将传统的固相小分子合成技术与关键的仪器技术相结合。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，从我的实验室毕业的学员已经做好了充分的准备，可以进入化学和相关科学的专业领域，以及对科学的全球本质有鉴赏力的专业项目。

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.