The goal of this project is the determination of molecular geometries of nucleic acids in atomic detail. The polymorphic secondary structures of DNA.DNA, RNA.RNA and DNA.RNA duplexes of specific repeating base sequences will be defined and refined. The primary concern is to examine the influence of base sequence on molecular morphology and to study the interactions between nucleic acids and other interactants, particularly proteins and drugs. The main experimental probe will be X-ray diffraction analysis of oriented and polycrystalline fibers and other sources of structural information from single crystals of oligonucleotides, NMR, UV and IR spectroscopy of both oligomers and polymers will be opportunistically exploited. The longterm goal is a precise description of the normal expression and regulation of the genetic information in nucleic acids and how it might be manipulated artifically.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM038909-01
Application #
3295682
Study Section
Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry A Study Section (BBCA)
Project Start
1987-09-01
Project End
1990-08-31
Budget Start
1987-09-01
Budget End
1988-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Purdue University
Department
Type
Earth Sciences/Resources
DUNS #
072051394
City
West Lafayette
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47907