Principal Investigator Peter So
Co-investigator Peter Dedon
In collaboration with Prof. Peter Dedon, we study the structural effects and enzymological consequences of positive supercoiling in DNA. Preliminary results reveal novel properties of helically over-wound DNA consistent with an increase in the flipping of nucleobases out of the helix. We propose to define the effects of positive supercoiling on DNA structure and dynamics and on the activity of base-flipping methyltransferase enzymes. Biochemical and spectroscopic characterization in combination with biomechanical and biophysical methods will be used to study the effect of positive supercoiling on DNA structure and enzyme activity These complementary approaches will provide important insights into the biological role of superhelical tension in DNA physiology, DNA damage and DNA repair.