1. Designing modified DNA fragments

Supervisor: prof. Radek Marek

Annotation:

Novel forms of nucleotides will be incorporated in silico in oligomers with sequences relevant for biosystems. The biocompatibility of artificial building blocks will be evaluated using advanced methods of quantum chemistry (that provide also analytical tools for investigation of crucial noncovalent interactions) and molecular dynamics. Available candidates of modified nucleobases and sugars will be investigated experimentally by using NMR spectroscopy in solution.

Requirements on candidates:

Computational and quantum chemistry, structural chemistry or biology.

Recommended literature:

  1. CUYACOT, Ben J.R., Ivo DURNÍK, Cina FOROUTAN-NEJAD and Radek MAREK. Anatomy of Base Pairing in DNA by Interacting Quantum Atoms, Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, 2021, 61, 211-222. doi:10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00642.
  2. YURENKO, Yevgen, Jan NOVOTNÝ and Radek MAREK. Weak Supramolecular Interactions Governing Parallel and Antiparallel DNA Quadruplexes: Insights from Large-Scale Quantum Mechanics Analysis of Experimentally Derived Models. Chemistry - A European Journal, 2017, 23, 5573-5584. doi:10.1002/chem.201700236.
  3. DUREC, Matúš, Francesco ZACCARIA, Célia FONSECA GUERRA and Radek MAREK. Modified guanines as constituents of smart ligands for nucleic acid quadruplexes. Chemistry - A European Journal, 2016, 22, 10912-10922. doi:10.1002/chem.201601608.
  4. BAZZI, Sophia, Jan NOVOTNÝ, Yevgen YURENKO and Radek MAREK. Designing a New Class of Bases for Nucleic Acid Quadruplexes and Quadruplex-Active Ligands. Chemistry - A European Journal, 2015, 21, 9414-9425. doi:10.1002/chem.201500743.
  5. YURENKO, Yevgen, Jan NOVOTNÝ, Vladimír SKLENÁŘ and Radek MAREK. Substituting CF2 for O4' in Components of Nucleic Acids: Towards Systems with Reduced Propensity to Form Abasic Lesions. Chemistry - A European Journal, 2015, 21, 17933-17943. doi:10.1002/chem.201502977.

Keywords: DNA, base pairing, molecular modelling, quantum chemistry

 

2. Structure of parallel forms of nucleic acids: NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling

Supervisor: prof. Radek Marek

Annotation:

The project is focused on detailed structural characterization of short purine oligonucleotides clipped by proper sequential motifs that induce parallel orientation of DNA strands. For this purpose, NMR experiments combined with MD simulations will be employed. The effect of modifications of selected nucleotides on the structural properties of designed models will be investigated to gain deeper understanding of key interactions that contribute to the folding of such systems.

Requirements on candidates:

Structural chemistry or biology, advanced NMR spectroscopy, computational chemistry

Recommended literature:

  1. Aleš NOVOTNÝ, Jan NOVOTNÝ, Iva KEJNOVSKÁ, Michaela VORLÍČKOVÁ, Radovan FIALA and Radek MAREK. Revealing structural peculiarities of homopurine GA repetition stuck by i-motif clip. Nucleic Acids Research, 2021, 49, 11425. doi:10.1093/nar/gkab915.

Keywords: NMR spectroscopy, DNA, base pairing, molecular modelling

Management

Prof. Radek Marek, Ph.D.
Prof. Radek Marek, Ph.D.
Research Group Leader Senior
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