Microsolvation of individual DNA bases

University Of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara CA

Investigators

Abstract

In this project, funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, the PI will conduct research on the properties and behaviors of individual nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides, with controlled numbers of water molecules. Experiments will be done by laser spectroscopy of water clusters, formed with laser desorbed, jet cooled bases. Molecular dynamics simulations and state-of-the-art nonempirical chemical ab initio calculations will complement the experimental work. Graduate and undergraduate students as well as postdoctoral associates will participate in the research. In addition, an outreach program is focused on minority students and high schools, and the development of a web based interface to facilitate access to science museum resources by grade school science teachers.