120.613.01 NUCLEIC ACID CHEMISTRY

Discusses nucleic acid structure, and also describes techniques for manipulating and analyzing nucleic acids, including gel electrophoresis, PCR, and DNA sequencing. Reviews methods used to synthesize nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides, and chemical reactions that lead to modifications of nucleic acids. Additional topics include: nucleic acid molecular beacons and molecular wires; antisense and antigene oligonucleotides; nucleic acid nanostructures and "machines", and nucleic acid aptamers.

Upon completing this course, students will be able to: (1) design synthetic schemes for preparing nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleoside analogs; (2) to design synthetic schemes for preparing oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs; and (3) predict the products of reactions between nucleic acids and various chemical reagents; ultraviolet radiation and ionizing radiation.