Inés Corral (UAM) — Photochemical and photophysical profile of the artificial Hachimoji nucleobase Z
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Check this Success Story at our LinkedIn: Photochemical and photophysical profile of the artificial Hachimoji nucleobase Z
📋 "Photochemical and photophysical profile of the artificial Hachimoji nucleobase Z" led by Inés Corral from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Hachimoji DNA is an artificial 8-letter genetic system that is thermodynamically stable and capable of storing and translating genetic information. Since it has 8 nucleobases, instead of 4 as natural DNA, it holds great potential in biotechnology, genetics and digital information storage.
However, nucleobase Z in Hachimoji DNA may not be photostable, which may lead to critical issues such as DNA damage or mutations when working under light. This project focused on studying this artificial Z, which contains a pyridine ring that alters its photophysical properties.
🖥️ Thanks to RES Supercomputer #MareNostrum5 from Barcelona Supercomputing Center, the team used non-adiabatic molecular dynamics simulations to:
🔹 Track Z’s real-time excited-state behavior
🔹 Identify dominant deactivation mechanisms
🔹 Estimate its excited-state lifetimes and photostability
The simulations suggest that Z is not photostable, limiting its potential use in synthetic biology or long-term data storage without further chemical modifications or protection strategies.
📸 The image shows a render of Hachimoji DNA.