Characterization and binding studies of bpy-DNA

Modified oligonucleotides have shown potential for multiple applications including nucleic acid-based drugs, nanoscale building blocks, and biosensors. Our laboratory is placing chelating ligands directly into the backbone of DNA. We have developed a new class of metal-chelating nucleic acids in which one or more nucleosides have been replaced by metal-bpy complexes. UV-vis spectroscopy has been used to assess the stability of the modified duplexes and the nature of the metal complexes formed. Here we show that metal ions can be used to regulate bpy-containing duplex stability and provide an insight to bpy metal structure formed in these duplexes