B4.2 – Helical Orientation of π-Systems using Xeno Nucleic Acid Template Structures
Principle Investigator: Prof. Stephanie Kath-Schorr
In this project, we aim to use the programmable nature of interactions through Watson-Crick base pairing for the assembly and orientation of π-systems. Nucleic acids can be used for the construction of a wide variety of 2D and 3D nanostructures. In this project, non-natural nucleic acid (xeno nucleic acid (XNA)) structures will be assembled by chemical and enzymatic synthesis. This initially requires synthesis of the nucleotide building blocks and functionalized organic dyes as well as solid phase nucleic acid synthesis and enzymatic nucleic acid polymerization.
The novel XNA based nanostructures will act as scaffold for covalent or non-covalent template directed assembly of dyes in defined structures, such as stacked and shifted π-systems. The adaptive template design using enzymatically polymerizable nucleic acid building blocks allows to study the properties of stacked π-systems in defined orientation and length.
References
[1] J. Ouellet, S. Schorr, A. Iqbal, T. J. Wilson, D. M. J. Lilley Biophys. J. 2011, 101, 1148–1154.
[2] C. Domnick, F. Eggert, C. Wuebben, L. Bornewasser, G. Hagelueken, O. Schiemann, S. Kath-Schorr Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2020, 59, 7891-7896.
[3] L. Bornewasser C., Domnick and S. Kath-Schorr Chemical Science. 2022, 13, 4753-4761
The ideal candidate has a master’s degree in chemistry with profound knowledge in synthetic organic chemistry. Experience in physical organic chemistry is advantageous.