DNA Research
ssDNA, dsDNA, RNA, and Solid Nucleobases
I have studied the geometry (bond lengths and angles), charge characteristics, binding energies, and hyperfine properties of ssDNA, dsDNA, RNA, as well as the free Nucleobases (Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine, Thymine, and Uracil). I have also investigated how muons and Muonium atoms interact with these systems.
Images: image002.jpg and image004.jpg should be uploaded here showing DNA structures and research visualizations.
By investigating the Nucleobases in many different environments (free, solid, ssDNA, dsDNA, RNA) I was able to develop an intuition for how the nucleobases interact with each other and the sugar group as well as the phosphate backbone of the DNA and RNA systems. I developed a better understanding of how the intra and intermolecular binding forces in these systems work.
Image: image005.png should be uploaded here showing nucleobase interactions.
I came to learn how the hydrogen bonding of the complementary pairs in dsDNA effect the hyperfine properties of the nucleobases as compared to binding in the solids. Please note, in all diagrams, blue is nitrogen, red is oxygen, white is hydrogen, and grey is carbon.
Image: image007.png should be uploaded here showing hydrogen bonding in complementary pairs.
Research Systems Investigated
- Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)
- Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)
- RNA structures
- Free nucleobases (Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine, Thymine, Uracil)
- Solid nucleobase systems
Properties Studied
- Molecular geometry (bond lengths and angles)
- Charge characteristics
- Binding energies
- Hyperfine properties
- Muon and Muonium interactions
- Hydrogen bonding effects
- Intra and intermolecular binding forces
Key Insights
Through comparative analysis across multiple environments (free molecules, solids, and various DNA/RNA configurations), I developed a comprehensive understanding of:
- How nucleobases interact with each other
- The role of sugar groups in DNA/RNA structure
- The influence of the phosphate backbone
- The relationship between hydrogen bonding and hyperfine properties
- Differences in binding characteristics between solid state and biological environments
Color coding in molecular diagrams:
- Blue = Nitrogen
- Red = Oxygen
- White = Hydrogen
- Grey = Carbon