Research Projects

Researchers worldwide are investigating the structural and functional aspects of the interaction of different polymorphic structures of nucleic acid, including triplexes and quadruplexes, with small molecules to develop therapeutic agents with high specificity and efficacy. However, the detail insight of the interaction in terms of thermodynamic characterization remains scarce. To understand molecular recognition of higher order structure nucleic acid by naturally occurring small molecules, comprehensive thermodynamic studies are necessary. The proposed research aims to study the interaction of naturally occurring compounds, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, with triplex and quadruplex nucleic acid structures of specific sequences and characterize the interaction process using various spectroscopic and thermodynamic tools. The formation of the higher order structure will be monitored and characterized using UV-Visible absorption spectrometry and circular dichroic measurements. CD spectroscopy will be used to investigate the structural aspects of the triplex and quadruplex nucleic acid on interaction with the small molecules. Thermodynamic characterization will be explored using temperature dependence of binding and Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The goal is to explore the scope of using naturally occurring alkaloids and flavonoids as higher order nucleic acid binder. Detail thermodynamic study will enable us to understand the underlying energetics in the interaction process, which will help us understand the forces responsible for the association. In conclusion, detailed spectroscopic insight and thermodynamic characterization of the interaction of naturally occurring alkaloids and flavonoids with higher order nucleic acid structures can provide a gateway to developing new anticancer agents.