Self Assembly of Helical Cyanine Dye Aggregates on Nucleic Acid Templates

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

This project will explore the controlled aggregation of cyanine dyes on nucleic acid nanotemplates. The end result is the spontaneous assembly of chiral, helical aggregates of cyanine dimers. The dimensions of the aggregate are controlled by varying the length of the DNA. The properties of the aggregates will be studied using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including UV-vis absorption, circular dichroism and fluorescence methods, and by stopped flow spectroscopy. Collaborative efforts will explore the possibilities of X-ray crystallographic studies of these aggregates, as well as a theoretical treatment of the electronic interactions among the cyanine dyes. With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program's Organic Synthesis Program supports the research of Professor Bruce A. Armitage of Carnegie Mellon University. Professor Armitage will investigate the properties of certain dye molecules to assemble on a template consisting of the DNA helix. Thus assembled, these aggregates can themselves serve as the template for the generation of complex structures that retain some of the characteristics initially imparted by the DNA. The properties of these assemblies will be studied as will the dynamics of their formation.