Janet Morrow , University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 526 Natural Sciences Complex, Chemistry Department, Buffalo, NY, US, 14260-3000 | Makoto Komiyama | Richard Keene

This symposium will cover several topics in the interaction of metal ion complexes with nucleic acids. A major theme is the recognition of DNA and RNA structure by metal ion complexes through intercalation, groove binding and additional unique binding modes. Both kinetically inert and labile metal ion complexes will be described. Spectroscopic characterization of metal ion complexes bound to nucleic acids will be covered. Metal ion induced nucleic acid distortions will be discussed including the production of alternate DNA structures triggered by metal ion binding. Complexes that recognize nucleic acid structures and may potentially function as metallodrugs through binding and/or cleavage will be included. A second major theme is the incorporation of metal ion binding sites in DNA or DNA analogs through modification of the DNA nucleobases. Structural control of DNA through metal ion mediated base pairing and the formation of metal ion arrays on DNA templates will be discussed.