Patent ID: 7612057

Claim:
A method for cleaving DNA comprising the steps of combining said DNA with a supramolecular complex selected from the group consisting of: [(2,2′-bipyridine) 2 Ru(2-pyridyl)pyrazine)RhCl 2 (2-pyridyl)pyrazine)Ru(2,2′-bipyridine) 2 ](PF 6 ) 5 ; [(2,2′-bipyridine) 2 Os(2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine)RhCl 2 (2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine)Os(2,2′-bipyridine) 2 ](PF 6 ) 5 ; [(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)RuCl(2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine)RhCl 2 (2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine)RuCl(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)](PF 6 ) 3 ; and [(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)RuCl(2,2′-bipyridimidine)RhCl 2 (2,2′-bipyridimidine)RuCl(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)](PF 6 ) 3 . wherein said supramolecular complex is present in sufficient quantity to bind to and cleave said DNA; and exposing said DNA to light or radiant energy sufficient to activate said supramolecular complex to cleave said DNA.