Design and synthesis of modified nucleosides and oligonucleotides for applications in bioanalysis

Nucleobases bearing an electrochemical or luminiscent marker in a suitable position could be used in bioanalysis. Novel types of nucleosides containing such nucleobases bearing complexes of transition metals as markers linked via conjugated linkers are designed and prepared in our group. Chemical and/or enzymatic incorporation of such modified nucleosid building blocks into oligonucleotides is being studied in order to construct potential sensors of DNA hybridizations - collaboration with Prof. M. Fojta (Institute of Biophysics, AS CR, Brno). Similar types of oligonucleotides will be also prepared for multidisciplinary project of CIDNA of the 6-th Framework of EU dealing with control of assembly and charge transport in immobilized DNA.