Nucleic acids are central players in biology. The role of nucleic acids is varied, ranging from a repository of genetic information through to catalysis. The primary objective of this group is to develop a deeper understanding of these roles in biology and disease.

• Molecular design of Nucleic Acid-programmed molecular devices.
  We are currently developing new chemical biological approaches for the construction of optoelectronic devices  by synthesizing DNA binding molecules which effectively read the genetic code of DNA in order to locate a particular metal or a magnet to a particular destination along the DNA template. In collaboration with Dr Ulrich Rant and Dr Eileen Yu we are now applying this technology to investigate the utility of these constructs as plasmonic waveguides for molecular electronics and medical diagnostic applications.
  Collaborators: Dr Ulrich Rant (Technical University Munich); Prof. Andrew Turberfield (Department of Physics, Oxford University), Dr Eileen Yu (Department of Engineering, Newcastle University)

• Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of alternative RNA splicing.                                                                                                        Collaboration: Prof. Ian Eperon (Department of Biochemistry, University of Leicester)
  Although alternative RNA splicing is a major contributor to protein diversity and genetic regulation operating in eukaryotic cells, the mechanism by which it is regulated is poorly understood. This research programme is aimed at unravelling fundamental issues associated with splice site selection both within the context of human biology as well as in aberrant splicing processes such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

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