Development of new DNA-binding sensitisers for biosensors

The aim of this project is to develop new molecules for use as DNA-binding sensitisers in biosensors. The project will develop the synthesis of functional novel organic and inorganic molecules and use biophysical methods to fully describe their DNA-binding behaviour.

The project will involve organic and inorganic synthesis, and characterisation using a breadth of analytical and spectroscopic techniques including NMR, UV-vis., fluorescence, circular dichroism, and electron paramagnetic resonance as well as titration calorimetry. There is extensive scope for developing new materials and evolving their applications.

The project will involve:
the design, synthesis and characterisation of new so-called sensitisers, i.e. DNA-binding molecules with spectroscopic properties allowing sensitive detection biophysical studies of the interactions of the new molecules with nucleic acid structures, including DNA*DNA duplexes.
evaluation of the detection of pathogen DNA by a prototype biosensor.

The envisaged applications are in sensitive and robust point-of-care biosensors for rapid detection of pathogens by their DNA using new detection approaches.