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Designing fluorescent nucleic acids

Our research focuses on the design and synthesis of chemically engineered nucleic acids as functional probes for studying biomolecular structure and dynamics. We develop isomorphic fluorescent nucleosides that preserve Watson–Crick base pairing while enabling sensitive and versatile fluorescence-based visualization. 

Using these tools, we investigate nucleic acid conformations beyond the canonical right-handed helix, with particular emphasis on left-handed structures such as Z-DNA and Z-RNA. These approaches allow us to detect and monitor transient conformations and their structural transitions in complex environments. 

This program aims to understand how nucleic acid chirality contributes to molecular recognition and immune regulation, and to uncover the evolutionary significance of alternative helical structures in biology.