Chemistry of nucleic acids: impacts in multiple fields

Abstract

Research in nucleic acids has made major advances in the past decade in multiple fields of science and technology. Here we discuss some of the most important findings in DNA and RNA research in the fields of biology, chemistry, biotechnology, synthetic biology, nanostructures and optical materials, with emphasis on how chemistry has impacted, and is impacted by, these developments. Major challenges ahead include the development of new chemical strategies that allow synthetically modified nucleic acids to enter into, and function in, living systems.

Fig. 1

RNA synthesis building block developed by Scaringe.

Fig. 2

Structures of backbone analogs of DNA studied recently.

Fig. 3

Example of sequencing by synthesis (SBS). Adapted with permission from PNAS, ref. ; Copyright 2006 National Academy of Sciences, USA

Fig. 4

Detection of DNA with inorganic nanoparticles. Adapted with permission from ref. . Copyright 2005 American Chemical Society.

Fig. 5

Examples of DNA detection with templated chemical reactions.

Fig. 6

DNA origami shapes: folding path and AFM images. Adapted with permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd: Nature, ref. , Copyright 2006.

Fig. 7

Example of DNA oligomer bearing multiple fluorophores and application in imaging biological systems. Adapted with permission from ref. . Copyright 2009 American Chemical Society.