Sequence-specific enzymatic synthesis of base-modified RNA
Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry of Nucleic Acids
Abstract
We will design and synthesize modified ribonucleoside triphosphates bearing diverse functional groups at nucleobase. These nucleotides will be used for sequence-specific enzymatic synthesis of oligoribonucleotides (RNA) bearing labels or modifications at specific positions using engineered DNA polymerases. The applications will include tRNA, mRNA, sgRNA etc.
Field of study: Organic chemistry
References:
- Micura, R.; Höbartner, C. Fundamental studies of functional nucleic acids: aptamers, riboswitches, ribozymes and DNAzymes. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2020, 49, 7331–7353.
- Milisavljevic, N.; Perlíková, P.; Pohl, R.; Hocek, M. Enzymatic synthesis of base-modified RNA by T7 RNA polymerase. A systematic study and comparison of 5-substituted pyrimidine and 7-substituted 7-deazapurine nucleoside triphosphates as substrates. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2018, 16, 5800-5807.
Universities
PhD students must be enrolled in a partner university and will be employed by the IOCB Prague at the same time (part-time or full time), which results in a competitive salary (a scholarship from the university + a salary from the IOCB). Each university has its own process, terms, and deadlines for PhD applications, which is separate from the IOCB recruitment process. You may discuss the details with the respective PI.
How to apply
If you are interested, please contact the supervisor: michal.hocek@uochb.cas.cz