Controlling the higher-order structure of genomic DNA in relation to its genetic activity

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25390038
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Nanobioscience
• Research Institution: Ritsumeikan University
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIKAWA Yuko 立命館大学, 総合科学技術研究機構, 教授 (80291871)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 長鎖DNA / 単一分子観察 / 高次構造 / 二重鎖切断

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Through the use of single-molecule observation with fluorescence microscopy, we studied the higher-order structural change of a giant DNA molecule. Results obtained are as follows.
(1) The effects of linear, branched and cyclic polyamines on the higher-order structure of giant DNA were examined. These polyamines showed distinct activities, thus highlighting the importance of polyamine backbone structure. (2) The protective effect of ascorbic acid (AsA) against double-strand breaks in DNA was evaluated. Samples were exposed to three different irradiations: visible light, gamma-ray and ultrasound. It was found that AsA had almost no protective effect against the damage caused by ultrasound.

Free Research Field

生物物理化学