Chemical biology of base-modified nucleic acids

Novel types of base-modified nucleic acids are designed and prepared by polymerase incorporation of modified nucleoside triphosphates. Selected modifications are introduced in order to manipulate binding of some proteins to DNA, i.e. development of transient protection of DNA against cleavage by restriction endonucleases. Other specific modifications are designed to mimic transition states of some DNA-editing enzyme reactions. Diverse reactive groups (i.e. aldehyde) are incorporated to DNA for post-synthetic modifications and bioconjugations. Other studies will address chemical biology of base-modified RNAs.