description): Many different RNA binding and catalytic activities can be isolated from pools of random sequences, and recent work suggests that the same will be true of proteins. It is proposed to use in vitro selection and directed evolution to explore ways for generating new molecular functions de novo from random sequences and by modification of existing functions. The relationship between information content and functional activity will be examined to gauge the difficulty of obtaining progressively more active molecules. The re-use of previously selected functions to evolve new functions will also be studied. The idea that proteins are better than RNA at evolving new functions from existing functions will also be tested.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM053936-06
Application #
6386255
Study Section
Cell Development and Function Integrated Review Group (CDF)
Program Officer
Lewis, Catherine D
Project Start
1996-06-01
Project End
2004-06-30
Budget Start
2001-07-01
Budget End
2002-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$216,250
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02199
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Zou, Keyong; Horhota, Allen; Yu, Biao et al. (2005) Synthesis of alpha-L-threofuranosyl nucleoside triphosphates (tNTPs). Org Lett 7:1485-7
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