An exploratory initial project between the PI and Hans-J`rg Schneider of the University of the Saarland has found a group of cationic cyclophanes that cause an unexpected base-pair opening in RNA, but stabilize the duplex state of DNA. These highly selective differential results with RNA and DNA have potential in drug development, biotechnology, and in enhancing our understanding of the mechanism of selective recognition and conformational reorganization of RNA and DNA. In order to develop an understanding of this process at the molecular level, it is essential to expand the analysis by probing the compound and RNA dependence of the base-opening reactions. Training of young investigators will be significantly enhanced by the opportunity to conduct research with the German group.
