Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Gas-Phase Ion Spectroscopy Of Nucleobases And Mononucleotides: Models For Higher Order Nucleic Acids, Yuan-Wei Nei

Wayne State University Dissertations

Experiments examining the structures and stabilities of protonated and sodium cationized nucleobases, and deprotonated DNA and RNA mononucleotides are presented and discussed in this dissertation. These studies were carried out using the infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) action spectroscopy technique that utilizes a Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometer (FT-ICR MS) coupled to a free electron laser (FEL) located at the Radboud University Nijmegen. Ionic species of these biologically important complexes were generated using an electrospray ionization source and then mass isolated to have their infrared (IR) spectra measured by the experimental apparatus. Detailed analysis of the IR spectra measured …

The Development Of Peptide Ligands To Target H69 Rrna, Danielle Nicole Dremann

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEPTIDE LIGANDS TO TARGET H69

by

DANIELLE NICOLE DREMANN

December 2015

Advisor: Prof. Christine S. Chow

Major: Chemistry (Biochemistry)

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

In the development of peptide ligands to target H69, SPPS and ESI MS was used to determine if 1) peptides could bind to modified H69 and 2) if increased affinity for the target RNA could be enhanced with modification. An alanine and arginine scan was synthesized and tested for this determination. Selected peptides were then tested using biophysical techniques such as circular dichroism and isothermal titration calorimetry. An assay was also designed to …

Artificial And Natural Nucleic Acid Self Assembling Systems, Marcus Wood

Wayne State University Dissertations

Nucleic acids are good candidates for nanomachine construction. They participate in all the processes of life, and so can function as structural building blocks and dynamic catalysts. However, to use nucleic acids as nanomachines, a better understanding of their material properties, how to design structures using them, and their dynamics is needed. We have tried to address these issues, in a small way, with nucleic acid force field development, an attempt at nanostructural design and synthesis using DNA, and a study of the RNA/protein regulatory dynamics of the tryptophan regulatory attenuation protein.