Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/A10406/01
Title:	AF: BIOPHYSICAL STUDIES OF MULTI-STRANDED DNA AND DNA- LIGAND SYSTEMS: STABILITY & MOLECULAR RECOGNITION
Principal Investigator:	Haq, Dr I
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Chemistry
Organisation:	University of Sheffield
Scheme:	Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 October 2001	Ends:	30 September 2006	Value (£):	240,674
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Biological & Medicinal Chem. Chemical Structure
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
This research aims systematically to examine the factors determining the formation and stability of two-, three- and four-stranded DNA as well as characterising the stabilisation afforded to these structures by metal ions, synthetic molecules and proteins/peptides. At a fundamental level a very basic question in chemistry is addressed: how do molecules specifically recognise certain DNA sequences? On a practical level, this work has implications for applied and strategic research as the ability to externally control gene expression using sequence/structure-specific drugs would have great potential in the treatment of diseases that involve a malfunction of normal cellular control processes. The completion of the Human Genome Project will result in a quantum leap in defining the function of genes involved in diseases and therefore this work will be a key impetus for post-genomic basic and applied research. A holistic approach, where molecular structure can be interpreted in the light of detailed energetic and mechanistic studies, will provide a comprehensive insight into important interactions and allow postgraduate researchers to utilise a wide range of technologies. This research will therefore significantly increase our understanding of important biochemical phenomena, as well as producing UK-trained scientists with well developed and varied scientific expertise. The research advances emanating from this work will be disseminated in world-class peer-reviewed journals, at international conferences, and using other media where appropriate.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.shef.ac.uk