Prof. A. K. Lala Memorial Lecture by Prof. Krishna N. Ganesh (JNCASR, Bengaluru)

09 Apr 2026
Seminar Room # 350, second floor annex

Speaker: Prof. Krishna N. Ganesh (FNA, FASc, FTWAS)
SERB National Science Chair JNCASR, Bengaluru,
Founder Director IISER Pune (July 2006 - October 2017)
Founder Director IISER Tirupati (Nov 2017-April 2023)

Title: "Janus Peptide Nucleic Acids: An old friend with a
new face"

Day & Date: Thursday, April 09, 2026

Time: 11.30 am.

Venue: Room no. 350, Chemistry Department
Second floor, Annex
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Hosted by Department of Chemistry

Talk Title : "Janus Peptide Nucleic Acids: An old friend with a new face"
Abstract
Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA) are DNA analogues with nucleobases linked to a pseudopeptide backbone instead of sugar-phosphate backbone and show sequence specific binding to complementary DNA and RNA with high affinity. We have now developed “Janus PNAs” that carry two nucleobases in each PNA monomer, leading to two different sequences on either face of Janus PNA. The additional nucleobase in each monomer is linked at C• or C• through an alkyl chain. Heren a new type of Janus PNA analogue – “diacyl hydrazine PNA” in which both nucleobases are attached by t-amide linkage is presented. This exhibits association and dissociation very different from the earlier C•/C• Janus PNAs and such polyplex complexes offer new opportunities for multiple gene silencing and in material applications.