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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Prof. Barbara Shaw, Duke University
Coding, Decoding, and Modulating Genetic Information with Boranophospate Mimics of Nucleotides, DNA and RNA
Biochemistry Seminar Series
The P-boranophosphates are efficient and near perfect mimics of natural nucleic acids in permitting reading and writing of genetic information with high yield and accuracy. Substitution of a borane (â"BH3) group for oxygen in the phosphate ester bond creates near perfect isoelectronic and isosteric mimics of naturally evolved nucleotide phosphate esters found in mono, di, trinucleotides (AMP, ADP, ATP) and in RNA and DNA. Relative to naturally evolved nucleic acids, the borane-containing DNA and RNA analogues demonstrate increased lipophilicity and resistance to endo- and exonucleases, yet they retain a negative charge and similar spatial geometry. Borane NTPs have the ability to serve as good substrates for naturally evolved nucleotides (like ATP and dATP) and as templates in replication, transcription and reverse transcription. We are exploring their use in aptamer selection, and antiviral, antisense, and RNAi therapeutics.
For more information contact Prof. Loren Williams (404-894-9752).
