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    • Mechanisms of DNA Oxidation and Cross-linking.
    • Chemical Modifications of siRNA Bases
    • Chemistry and Biochemistry of Guanine Oxidation. 
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Research Interests:

The heterocyclic bases of nucleic acids are rich targets for both toxins that damage DNA and drugs that interact with DNA and RNA. Our laboratory investigates several different aspects of nucleic acid chemistry ranging from the mechanistic organic chemistry of oxidative DNA damage to biochemical studies of enzymes that act on DNA lesions. Lessons learned in modified DNA bases are also being applied to the design of new siRNAs for applications to therapeutic RNA interference. Tools used in our lab include:

* Nucleotide, peptide and ligand synthesis
* Organic reaction mechanisms (labeling, kinetics, isotope studies)
* ESI-MS and NMR
* Bioinorganic studies of metal ion complexes
* Gel electrophoresis, PCR and polymerase assays
* Protein expression and purification
* RNA interference and gene silencing