CHED 812 |
| The binding and interaction of lanthanides (europium and terbium) with duplex and G-rich quadruplex DNA have been investigated using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy and the measurement of excited state lifetimes using lasers. Quadruplex structures formed from G-rich DNA can be used as model systems for the study of functional roles of quadruplexes in telomeric DNA. Fluorescence experiments have revealed that both europium and terbium detected duplex DNA at concentrations as low as 400ppb. However, only europium detected quadruplex DNA at such low concentrations. As lanthanides are weakly-emissive, one way to overcome this is to use lanthanide chelates and measure lifetimes. The chelates can bind to DNA in the same way as DNA intercalators such as ethidium bromide, resulting in a change in the excited state lifetime of the intercalator along with fluorescence enhancement. Initial experiments have revealed changes in excited-state lifetime when these chelates bind to quadruplex DNA. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Biochemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |