Project one DNA/Protocell: Synthesis and investigation
This project pertains to the main task of the FlinT center: the design of functional protocell (see other webpages). In this project, we aim at exploring the possibility to sustain a photochemical metabolism using DNA strands as electron relay molecules. In particular, we want to synthesize DNA strands containing the 8-oxoguanine and ruthenium complexes and test their promotion of a photochemical reaction producing amphiphiles from their precursors.
- DNA synthesis: First, two new phosphoimidate ”monomers” have to be synthesize a 8-oxoguanine and a ruthenium tris bipyridine. Second, the ”monomers” will be inserted into natural DNA sequences
- Kinetics: The newly sequences will be tested for activity (promotion of of a photochemical reaction producing amphiphiles from their precursors). Then various DNA sequences will be synthesized to determine the impact on the same reaction
Contact: Pierre-Alain Monnard
Project two DNA/Protocell: Linking a DNA with the container of a protocell
The protocell envisioned a construction of a chemical system that is composed of nucleic acid strands as electron relay molecules.
- Synthesis of bioconjugates: amphiphilic DNA
- Investigation of their insertion in various bilayers
- Study of the photochemical production of amphiphiles in this systems
Contact: Pierre-Alain Monnard
Project three DNA/Protocell: Replication of a DNA sequence
Nucleic acids have in theory the capacity of self-replicate. This property would be essential for the realization of a fully functional protocell. We envision a replication based on the ligation of small DNA oligomers on a DNA template attached to the container of the protocell.
- Determination of the minimal length needed for each component
- Ligation kinetic in aqueous medium or structured medium (see non-enzymatic RNA polymerization)
- Investigation of the ligation reaction at the interface of the container (vesicle) or within reverse-micelles
- Depending on the progress of our collaborators at LANL, implementation of the photochemical version of the ligation reaction
Contact: Pierre-Alain Monnard
