Non-covalent DNA-binding ruthenium anticancer drugs

The research work described in this thesis concerns metal-based anticancer drugs with an emphasis on non-covalent DNA-binding supramolecular assemblies. The project involves the preparation of a series of mono- and bi-metallic ruthenium complexes with a primary focus on fluorescent dinuclear triple-stranded helicates with different structural topographies. Emphasis is then directed towards an investigation of the DNA binding characteristics of these molecules and an evaluation of their anticancer properties in human cancer cell lines. Attention is brought to the significance that the cylinder-building moieties and their structural characteristics have to these features. The studies also include an examination of the effects of chirality of the investigated supramolecular systems and the impact they have on molecular recognition. This is addressed via studies of the interaction of optical isomers of ruthenium triple-stranded helicates with DNA as a biomolecular target system and with Δ-TRISPHAT as a representative small chiral molecule