Swapan Jain

Education

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Boston University (2009)
• PhD, Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology (2006)
• BS, Chemistry & Biology, Kennesaw State University (2001)

Courses

• Basic Principles of Chemistry (Chemistry 141-142)
• Biochemistry (Chemistry 390)

Research Interests

The focus of our research group is to understand nucleic acid structure at the single nucleotide level. Specifically, we are looking at the interactions of small molecule ligands with DNA & RNA and the role of these interactions in modulating structure as well as expression.

Research Projects

• RNA has a three-dimensional folded structure that parallels the complexity of proteins. Riboswitches are regions in mRNA that control genetic expression upon binding of ligands. Our goal in this project is to identify structural changes that occur at the single base level upon binding of ligands to RNA. Specifically, we want to take a closer look at mRNAs involved in methionine biosynthesis pathway.
• RNA interference is the process by which RNA suppresses the expression of target genes in a sequence-specific manner. We want to ask the question whether simultaneous regulation of RNA can occur by multiple pathways. Our goal is to investigate the effects of ligand-induced structural changes on the RNA interference pathway.
• Cleavage of nucleic acids can be carried out by hydroxyl radical which abstracts ribose hydrogen atoms. We want to determine the mechanistic details of hydroxyl radical cleavage of DNA in the presence of small molecule ligands.

Selected Publications

• Jain, S.S., Tullius, T.D. “Footprinting Protein-DNA Complexes using the Hydroxyl Radical” Nature Prot. 3, 1092-1100 (2008).
• Hud, N.V., Jain, S.S., Li, X., Lynn, D.G., “Addressing the Problems of Base Pairing and Strand Cyclization in Template-Directed Synthesis Reactions” Chemistry & Biodiversity. 4, 768-783 (2007).
• Persil, Ö, Santai, C.T., Jain, S.S, Hud, N.V., "Assembly of an Antiparallel Homo-Adenine DNA Duplex by Small Molecule Binding" J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126, 8644-8645 (2004).
• Jain, S.S., Anet, F.A.L., Stahle, C.J., Hud, N.V., “Enzymatic Behavior by Intercalating Molecules and their Putative Role in the RNA World” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 43, 2004-2008 (2004).

Undergraduate authors underlined

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