This course presents the structure, synthesis, properties, and interactions of nucleic acids and the design and synthesis of nucleic acid-based and/or targeted drugs, probes, and tools. Topics include primary, secondary, and tertiary structure; topological and thermodynamic properties; biological and chemical synthesis; DNA chips; PCR; site-directed natural and unnatural mutagenesis; chemical evolution (SELEX); ribozymes; phage display; carcinogen, drug, and protein interactions; affinity cleaving; ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation damage; DNA repair of mutagenesis; and the design and synthesis of anti-sense and anti-gene probes and drugs. Extensive use is also made of molecular modeling and the protein databank of nucleic acid structures. Prerequisites: Chem 261 and Chem 262 or equivalents.
Course Attributes: FA NSM; AR NSM; AS NSM
