Metal-modified nucleic acids for nanotechnology
Nucleic acids gain more and more importance as programmable building blocks in the bottom-up approach. In particular, nucleic acids that are specifically functionalized by metal ions are highly interesting candidates for the use as nanomaterial as they could overcome the lack of sufficient conductivity of natural nucleic acids. Metal-mediated base pairs represent a powerful tool to incorporate metal ions in a defined fashion along the axis of nucleic acid helices. Such a site-specific incorporation is necessary for potential applications as metal ion sensors, nanomagnets, molecular wires or the usage in the catalysis of enantioselective reactions. This project deals with the structural, electronic and spectroscopic investigation of such metal-modified nucleic acids.
Group members involved: Bhaumik Dave, Silke Johannsen.
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