Simon Poole

Background: BSc. (Hons) Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, DCU

Research Project: Development of Holliday junction-stabilising di-nuclear complexes via click chemistry: a new gene targeting strategy for metal-based drugs

The Holliday junction (HJ) is a four-way non-canonical DNA structure with known functions in recombination and repair. The crystal structure of the stacked-X conformation was first reported in 1999 and since then, the sequence dependence of HJ formation has been intensively studied. Only a limited number of synthetic agents can recognise and stabilise the HJ including a bis-acridine C6 ligand capable of binding noncovalently at the junction crossover region. Since the HJ is a key intermediate in genetic recombination and required for the construction of DNA nanomaterials, the development of new synthetic agents that recognise and stabilise HJ assembly is an important goal. This project will develop new di-copper(II) and di-ruthenium(II) complexes using a breakthrough click chemistry approach whereby aliphatic linkers will ‘click’ to azide chelated ligands coordinated to metal complexes bearing designer intercalators.

Funding body: SUSI

Research Gate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Simon_Poole4