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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S23315/01
Title: Charge Separation Mechanisms in Donor-Acceptor Systems using Nucleic Acids as Rigid Scaffolds
Principal Investigator: Tuite, Dr EM
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: School of Chemistry
Organisation: Newcastle University
Scheme: First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC
Starts: 06 February 2004 Ends: 05 February 2007 Value (£): 119,752
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Biological & Medicinal Chem. Chemical Biology
Materials Characterisation Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals Electronics
Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The question of whether DNA can conduct electrons remains controversial although recent studies are providing increasing insight. We approach the problem from several angles. Firstly, can DNA mediate electron mobility between donor and acceptor molecules that cannot access the bridge states of the bases; secondly, if donors and acceptors can oxidise the bases either completely or transiently, how far and how fast can electrons travel along DNA; thirdly, can we use nucleic acids (including synthetic analogues such as PNA) to assemble multicomponent compartmentalised electron relay systems for long range charge separation? Our goal is to design systems in which nucleic acids can be used as molecular scaffolding to facilitate directional charge separation and storage, or potentially in which base-modified nucleic acids can act as molecular wires.
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Organisation Website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk