Prof. Floyd Romesberg, The Scripps Research Institute

Efforts toward the expansion of the genetic alphabet

Expansion of the genetic alphabet to include a third base pair would be a fundamental accomplishment that would not only have immediate utility for a number of applications, such as site-specific oligonucleotide labeling, but would also lay the foundation for a semi-synthetic organism.  We have developed an unnatural base pair, d5SICS-dNaM, that forms based on packing and hydrophobic interactions rather than complementary H-bonding.  d5SICS-dNaM, as well as derivatives with linkers attached for site-specific labeling of DNA or RNA, is replicated and transcribed with excellent efficiency and fidelity.  Structural studies, as well as several applications, including ongoing selections for unnatural DNAzymes will be discussed.  Finally, we are supplementing these efforts with directed evolution to tailor DNA polymerases to more efficiently replicate DNA containing d5SICS-dNaM.

For more information contact Prof. Andrew Lyon (404-894-4090).