Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/C510208/1
Title:	A novel biophysical approach to the study of interactions between nucleic acids
Principal Investigator:	Weightman, Professor P
Other Investigators:	Fernig, Professor D Martin, Dr DS Smith, Dr CI Edwards, Professor C
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	De Beers UK Limited DTC Research Centre
Department:	Physics
Organisation:	University of Liverpool
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 January 2005	Ends:	30 June 2007	Value (£):	187,018
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Analytical Science Chemical Biology Genomics Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Electronics Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
It is proposed to develop a new biophysical method of studying the hybridisation between homologous nucleic acid sequences based on the optical technique of Reflection Anisotropy Spectroscopy (RAS).The programme builds on the success of a one year feasibility study which demonstrated the potential of RAS for monitoring the interaction between DNA sequences adsorbed at solid/liquid interfaces. It will be carried out by a strong and well equipped interdisciplinary team who have experience of working together.As a sensitive optical probe of surfaces RAS can be used to monitor interactions between biological molecules adsorbed on surfaces in the liquid environment necessary for the exhibition of their functionality. It will be used to detect the hybridisation between nucleic acid sequences adsorbed at electrodes in an electrochemical cell and homologous sequences added to the cell by monitoring changes in their RA spectrum. Since the optical response of nucleic acids arisesfrom the bases RAS should be a sensitive monitor of the base pairing that gives rise to hybridisation between nucleic acid sequences.This approach has the potential to become a faster, cheaper, more sensitive and more direct method of monitoring the interactions between nucleic acids than those currently used in DNA array technology.It is proposed to develop a new biophysical method of studying the hybridisation between homologous nucleic acid sequences based on the optical technique of Reflection Anisotropy Spectroscopy (RAS).The programme builds on the success of a one year feasibility study which demonstrated the potential of RAS for monitoring the interaction between DNA sequences adsorbed at solid/liquid interfaces. It will be carried out by a strong and well equipped interdisciplinary team who have experience of working together.As a sensitive optical probe of surfaces RAS can be used to monitor interactions between biological molecules adsorbed on surfaces in the liquid environment necessary for the exhibition of their functionality. It will be used to detect the hybridisation between nucleic acid sequences adsorbed at electrodes in an electrochemical cell and homologous sequences added to the cell by monitoring changes in their RA spectrum. Since the optical response of nucleic acids arisesfrom the bases RAS should be a sensitive monitor of the base pairing that gives rise to hybridisation between nucleic acid sequences.This approach has the potential to become a faster, cheaper, more sensitive and more direct method of monitoring the interactions between nucleic acids than those currently used in DNA array technology.
Key Findings
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Organisation Website:	http://www.liv.ac.uk