Direct DNA and RNA synthesis: From nucleosides over nucleotides to oligomers (P12)

• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 364653263

In this project, the starting point is the DNA nucleoside synthesis where the nucleobase itself is activated in an organo-catalytic-like reaction with acetaldehyde, thus allowing a targeted assembly of the deoxyribonucleosides by reaction with glyceraldehyde. We now aim to extend this synthesis route to the synthesis of RNA nucleosides. Furthermore, we plan to phosphorylate the nucleosides to RNA and DNA nucleotides using a prebiotically plausible organocatalyst. In a further step, the prepared RNA and DNA nucleotides will be activated in an oligomerization reaction so that we can build random DNA and RNA oligomeric sequences.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 235: Emergence of Life: exploring mechanisms with cross-disciplinary experiments
• International Connection: Sweden
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Ville Kaila, until 6/2022; Professor Dr. Christian Ochsenfeld, since 7/2022; Professor Dr. Oliver Trapp