Mildred M. Rodriguez
B.S. University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
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By binding a nucleic acid drug to mRNA, we can selectively prevent the expression of deleterious genes. The major benefits of this method are specificity for a given genetic target and broad applicability to many diseases. However, these antisense drugs will have to overcome several barriers in order to become reliable and efficient therapeutics. We are working on a new class of oligodeoxynucleotides in which a nucleoside is replaced by a different combination of metal-ligand complexes and will improve the performance of antisense therapy drugs. These metal-chelating nucleic acids drugs combine the target binding specificity of oligodeoxynucleotides with the chemical diversity of inorganic metal-ligand complexes. In addition to precise target fidelity, these metal-linked nucleic acids will also afford control of drug charge, structure, target affinity, and cellular transport properties.
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