Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Chemistry

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Philip Lukeman

Second Advisor

Erica Jacobs

Third Advisor

Steven Graham

Abstract

This thesis concerns the analysis of novel crosslinked duplexes. Sequence controlled crosslinking is essential because it allows for precise, programable control over DNA hybridization and provides thermal and structural stability. The CNVK monomer is useful because it provides control using UV light, acting as a switch to control DNA dissociation and turn enzymes on or off. Understanding the precise, 3D structure of these DNA assemblies with x-ray Crystallography will enable scientists to predict how they will behave or interact within biochemical systems. We describe the preparation and purification of crosslinked CNVK containing DNA oligonucleotides for analysis by x-ray crystallography. Three purification methods were used: High pressure liquid chromatography, gel electrophoresis, and 3k (3 kDa molecular weight cut-off) filtration. Using 3 kDa molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) filtration, we successfully purified sufficient quantities of both un-crosslinked and crosslinked duplexes to proceed with crystallization trials.

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