Conor Bain

Educational background

BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology, 2018, University College Dublin

MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences with Management Studies, 2019, Kingston University London

Research project title: Development of catalytic antisense oligonucleotides by click chemistry for targeted oxidative cleavage of mRNA

Brief project description: Therapeutic nucleic acids often rely on the recruitment of endonucleases such as RNase H for the cleavage of mRNA in antisense therapy. Redox-active metal ion complexes can be employed as artificial metallonucleases (AMNs) for oxidative cleavage of a target gene. Directed cleavage is possible by conjugation to an oligonucleotide probe strand, and further modification to the metal-binding ligand can fine-tune advantageous properties such as target selectivity, intercalative stabilisation and oxidation state.

This project will focus on the engineering of catalytic RNA hybrids bearing redox-active AMNs that recognise and oxidatively cleave therapeutically relevant mRNA. These RNA-metal ion hybrids will be constructed through the incorporation of alkyne-modified nucleotides to the oligo probe, followed by click conjugation to an azido ligand coordinated to a catalytic metal ion.

 Funding body: The Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA)

ResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Conor_Bain