The function of nucleic acids is to

(1) store hereditary information and

(2) contain information for making all the body's proteins
RNA has 3 types with different functions.
1. mRNA carries information from nucleus to cytoplasm (to the ribosomes).
2. tRNA carries amino acids that form proteins (connecting one by one to form proteins).
3. rRNA forms ribosomes.
They contain in DNA,RNA,ATP,FAD,NADPH

Nucleic Acids Chemistry and

Applications
"The year 2013 marked the 60th anniversary of the elucidation of the structure of the DNA double helix by
Watson and Crick. Its molecular structure comprises a backbone of repetitive units of sugar (2 deoxyribose)-phosphate, with each sugar bearing one of the four nucleobases (A/G/C/T) through
glycosidic linkages. Ranging from the realization of antisense-based nucleic acid analogues to covalent
conjugation of functional ligands and explosion of DNA as a nanoscale construction material, the most
recent decades have seen DNA evolve from just the "genetic" material to a "generic" material for several
applications. Organic chemistry has been central to this evolution, from enabling the affordable, custom
synthesis of any DNA/RNA sequence, to the development of rapid and super-efficient methods to
sequence DNA. This virtual issue seeks to highlight the frequently underestimated role of exciting
chemistry underlying nucleic acid biology. We have highlighted 25 exciting papers from J. Org.
Chem., Org. Lett. and J. Am. Chem. Soc. published between January 2012 and November 2013, under
four broad categories chemical modifications and DNA/RNA analogues, gene silencing and delivery
methods, fluorescent nucleic acids and self-assembly derived DNA materials."
From the Editorial by Krishna N Ganesh and Yamuna Krishnan
Editorial: Nucleic Acids Chemistry and Applications
Authors: Krishna N Ganesh and Yamuna Krishnan

IMPACT SUMMARY
Interdisciplinary BBSRC-funded research into nucleic acid chemistry has
underpinned the development of a suite of innovative technologies based on
chemically modified nucleic acids with increased functionality. The technologies,
created by Professor Tom Brown, now at the University of Oxford, led to the creation
of three spin-out companies and two innovations commercialised by other
companies. The first company, Oswel, was based on Wellcome Trust funding. It
supplied modified nucleic acids to researchers and industry and contributed to the
work of the UK forensic science service. ATDBio was founded by Brown in 2005 to
continue designing and selling modified nucleic acids to researchers and to the
biotech and pharma industries. Primer Design, also founded in 2005, developed
diagnostic kits using modified nucleic acids, which are used to detect bacteria and
viruses such as ebola and swine flu. The company sold for 12M in 2016. Brown was
also co-inventor of Scorpion primers and HyBeacons, commercialised by
AstraZeneca spin-out DxS and by international life science measurement company
LGC, respectively. Brown has received substantial BBSRC funding since the 1990s.

Description
Complete, up-to-date coverage of the broad area of nucleic acid chemistry and biology
Assembling contributions from a collection of authors with expertise in all areas of nucleic acids,
medicinal chemistry, and therapeutic applications, Medicinal Chemistry of Nucleic Acids presents a
thorough overview of nucleic acid chemistrya rapidly evolving and highly challenging discipline
directly responsible for the development of antiviral and antitumor drugs. This reliable resource
delves into a multitude of subject areas involving the study of nucleic acidssuch as the new
advances in genome sequencing, and the processes for creating RNA interference (RNAi) based
drugsto assist pharmaceutical researchers in removing roadblocks that hinder their ability to
predict drug efficacy. Offering the latest cutting-edge science in this growing field, Medicinal
Chemistry of Nucleic Acids includes:

In-depth coverage of the development and application of modified nucleosides and

nucleotides in medicinal chemistry

A close look at a large range of current topics on nucleic acid chemistry and biology

Essential information on the use of nucleic acid drugs to treat diseases like cancer

A thorough exploration of siRNA for RNAi and the regulation of microRNA, non-coding RNA
(ncRNA), a newly developing and exciting research area
Thorough in its approach and promising in its message, Medicinal Chemistry of Nucleic Acids probes
the new domains of pharmaceutical researchand exposes readers to a wealth of new drug
discovery opportunities emerging in the dynamic field of nucleic acid chemistry.