Nucleic acids play very important roles in living organisms. Understanding the chemistry and biology of nucleic acids is essential to understanding their biochemical and biological functions, especially in vivo. Although DNA and RNA each have only four simple and similar building blocks, nucleic acids can store genetic information and regulate gene expression. Equally excitingly, nucleic acids can form well-defined 3D structures, specifically recognize ligands and substrates, catalyze chemical and biological transformations, and evolve new structures and functions. Nucleic acids unquestionably offer both chemists and biologists an excellent scientific arena for rich scientific discoveries and for endless creativity and innovation.
This symposium will focus on the latest exciting developments in the field of functional nucleic acids. The topics that will be covered include: (I) oligonucleotides as therapeutics and nucleic acids as drug targets; (II) in vitro selection of new ribozymes and deoxyribozymes; (III) mechanistic and structural studies of natural ribozymes and artificial ribozymes and deoxyribozymes; (IV) nucleic acids for chemical and biological applications, such as sensing, pathogen and disease detection, and nanostructure construction; (V) nucleic acid dynamics, charge migration, damage and repair; (VI) structure and function studies of non-coding RNAs, and (VII) chemistry and biology of nucleic acid-protein interactions.
Many leaders in these research areas, including Gerald Joyce, Steven Benner, Jennifer Doudna, Wei Yang, Ronald Breaker and others, will present their most recent discoveries.
To encourage participation of students and postdoctoral researchers, Outstanding Young Researcher Oral or Poster Presentation Awards at $250 each will be given to two best oral and four best poster presenters from the symposium.
