STRUCTURAL CHANGES AND (SUB)PICOSECOND DYNAMICS IN DNA MOLECULES PROBED WITH ULTRASENSITIVE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES

National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies Cluj-Napoca

 

Abstract

 

The general aim of this project refers to the study of polymorphic structures characterizing DNA molecules, and also to the elucidation of the rapid (sub)picosecond dynamics in nucleic acids, particularly, in conditions of physico-chemical parameters relevant for their biological function. Investigation of structural changes induced in a natural DNA recognition site molecular subgroups, in the presence and absence of divalent metal ions, by changing the pH, will provide data about protonation dependent opening of AT base pairs, changes the protonation of GC base pairs and interactions of DNA with divalent metal ions. This study implies a spectroscopic and a theoretical assessment. Also, structural markers for different types of plant nucleic acids will be established, using nobel metal nanoparticles and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), as an ultrasensitive method. Spectra-structure correlations in the wavenumber region describing nucleoside conformation, backbone geometry and PO₂^- interaction of DNA molecules will be presented. Also, the wavenumber range corresponding to base electronic structures and base pairing is taken into account. Besides, identification of Raman FWHHs (full-widths at half height) and investigation of molecular relaxation times of DNA structural subgroups is considered, based on different nucleic acids molecules and different Raman techniques.

 

 

 

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