Nanosized peptide nucleic acid metal complex hybrids as catalysts for the cleavage of phosphate ester bonds in biological molecules

The information from Human Genome Project is being used to generate molecules with a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The capability to design, synthesise and manipulate functional molecules that mimic biological processes will underpin many emerging applications. In this project, macrocyclic metal complexes that catalyse the cleavage of phosphate ester bonds in biological molecules will be developed. Active complexes will be incorporated into nanosized peptide nucleic acid (PNA) - metal complex hybrids and applied as artificial enzymes in the sequence specific cleavage of RNA and DNA. Novel applications of these artificial enzymes in biotechnology are anticipated.