Research Interests Synthetic nucleases for RNA and DNA cleavage, dynamic combinatorial chemistry. The design of catalysts for the hydrolytic cleavage of nucleic acids is an ongoing project in our laboratory.
Synthetic nucleases have numerous applications ranging from genomic engineering to drug design.
This combination of properties is desirable if these complexes are to be useful for the inactivation of mRNA in biological systems. Studies are underway to elucidate the mechanism of RNA cleavage by mononuclear and dinuclear catalysts by use of modified RNA analogs as substrates. Sequence-specific cleavage of the RNA is promoted by these conjugates. Conjugates which selectively cleave the 5'-cap structure of mRNA have also been prepared and used in cell culture. Work is underway to optimize the orientation of the metal ion complex through modification of the organic linker.