California Institute of Technology

Henrik Junicke

Jacqueline K Barton

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a new class of sterically demanding metallo-intercalators. These compounds intercalate between bases in a duplex polynucleotide, but only where the bases are not fully complementary, for example, where there is a base-pair mismatch. The compounds are sufficiently sterically demanding that intercalation between bases in fully complementary duplexes does not occur to a significant degree. These mismatch intercalators are useful for detecting DNA and RNA defects, for diagnosing disorders characterized by the presence or increase in DNA and/or RNA defects, and for treating such disorders. Further, the compounds are capable of catalyzing photolytic cleavage of nucleic acids at relatively long wavelengths, and under normal sunlight.

Growing community of inventors

Luckenwalde, Germany

Henrik Junicke