Our research group uses organic chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology to understand and exploit the reactivity and structure of nucleic acids. Our ability to chemically synthesize unnatural molecules and carry out physico-chemical and biochemical studies with them enables us to address a variety of biologically important questions at the molecular level.

The investigations carried out in our group are designed to answer fundamental problems concerning nucleic acid chemistry, such as providing chemical insight into how cytotoxic antitumor agents that target DNA kill tumor cells. Practical applications give rise to tools that are useful in biotechnology.

Our studies on nucleic acids are divided into the following areas:

• DNA Damage is Only the Beginning: Histone protein catalyzed chemistry of damaged DNA in nucleosomes.
• The effects of DNA lesions on repair.
• How DNA and RNA are oxidatively damaged.
• Inhibitors of DNA repair enzymes.
• Photochemical control of nucleic acid structure.
• Radiosenistizing agents.