This award will support collaborative research between Prof. Nancy Gordon of American University and Dr. Garfield Sadler of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. The investigators intend to work on the synthesis of a class of bis (bipyridine) ruthenium dimers bridged by novel chelating ligands and the characterization of their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties. In addition, they plan to examine the DNA binding and cleaving potential of the various stereoisomers of these complexes. The project combines the expertise of the two investigators, one in inorganic electrochemistry and mixed valence dimers, and the other in transition metal complexes of anthraquinones and bio-organic chemistry. The work has the potential to generate important findings iln electron transfer and contribute significantly to a variety of areas in inorganic chemistry. Furthermore, the biochemical aspects of the research may lead to a better understanding of the process of DNA scission. By combining the skills of the two investigators, this award advances the goal of the Science in Developing Countries Program of increasing scientific understanding and strengthening research in a developing country such as Jamaica.
