Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group

The main activity of the group is focused to the synthesis and use of synthetic oligonucleotides. Specifically, the activity is concentrated in three main areas: 1) the use of RNA and DNA for the inhibition of gene expression, 2) the study of non-canonical DNA structures such as nucleic acids triplex and quadruplex and 3) DNAnanobiotechnology. The group has a long experience (28 years) in the synthesis of natural and modified oligonucleotides: 1) synthesis of oligonucleotides with unnatural bases; 2) synthesis of oligonucleotides with modified backbones (phosphorothioate, methylphosphonate), 3) non-radioactive labeling of oligonucleotides and 4) synthesis of natural and modified RNA oligonucleotides. The group has recently expanded his research into the study of compounds with antiproliferative properties that interact with DNA. Finally, and as a result of the incorporation of Dr. Fàbrega, the group has also focused his attention on the search for inhibitors of DNA repair enzymes.