Several breakthrough findings in cell biology during the past three decades have
urged the research of chemistry of nucleic acids and their constituents. These include
recognition of RNA as a biocatalyst and antibody-like binding agent, highly
selective inhibition of gene expression by single stranded DNA oligomers and double
stranded RNA oligomers, and successful combat against viral diseases, above
all human immune virus (HIV), with the aid of nucleoside analogs. Development of
structurally modified nucleosides and oligonucleotides as drugs and artificial RNA
and DNA based structures as selective catalysts and target-binding agents has
largely been dependent on the contribution of chemists producing innovative molecular
libraries for biological studies. Rapidly developing nanotechnology is another
emerging field where the role of nucleic acid chemistry will undoubtedly by
important. Finally, the central role of RNA in origin of life is an attractive field for
nucleic acid chemists. This book is largely based on lectures that I gave in Turku
University during more than two decades since early 1990s. I hope that graduate
and advanced undergraduate students of organic chemistry who intend to specialize
in the chemistry of nucleic acids and their constituents will find it useful. The
book may also be of interest of biochemists and cell biologists who like to broaden
their knowledge on basic chemistry of compounds with which they are working.
The focus is on synthetic and mechanistic chemistry rather than on structural or
analytical studies. In addition, the potential of nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides
in drug development is briefly discussed.