Structure, synthesis, properties, and interactions of DNA and RNA, and the design and synthesis of nucleic acid-based and/or targeted drugs, probes, tools and materials. Topics include prebiotic chemistry; A, B, Z DNA, triplexes, and G-quadruplexes; DNA and RNA folding; supercoiling; enzymatic, solid phase, and photolithographic DNA synthesis; PCR; Next Gen sequencing; systematic evolution of ligands (SELEX); artificial ribozymes; carcinogen, drug and protein interactions; ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation damage; DNA repair and mutagenesis; design of DNA and RNA cleaving agents and probes; gene editing (Crispr-Cas); and DNA-based sensors, computing, and nanoconstruction (Origami). Use is also made of 3D visualization software and web based programs. Coursework: tutorials, two exams, presentation of a journal article, and creation of an online interactive computer graphics presentation and 3D print of a nucleic acid structure of interest. Prerequisite, Chem 261 and Chem 262 or equivalent.
Course Attributes: FA NSM; AR NSM; AS NSM
