Synthese natürlicher DNA Modifikationen und deren Detektion in DNA - Identifikation und Totalsynthese eines neuartigen DNA Photoschadens

In the human body almost all cells contain the same genetic material; however, individual cells can perform vastly different functions. This is only possible, if different genes are active in different cell types. Furthermore, every cell stems from the same zygote; Hence the genetic information in cells needs to undergo reprogramming during differentiation. These processes require precise time dependent and robust control of gene expression, i.e. both stable and dynamic gene activation and silencing. The ¿ATCG¿ DNA base sequence alone cannot control these processes. To enable the regulation of gene activity, cytosine bases in DNA can be further modified. The presence of methylated cytosines is long known to silence genes and aberrant methylation is the reason for many diseases including cancer. Thus, DNA modification is one of the most fundamental events in epigenetics.