This chemical compound can interact with DNA in a specific manner and undergoes a visible colour change; this specificity may be related to the sequence or, more likely, the structure of the target DNA.  The compound is a dinuclear Ruthenium-based coordination complex which can bind to DNA and undergoes a colour change from purple to green or blue depending upon the nature of the DNA.  

Some preliminary work suggests that the prototype molecule is not markedly cytotoxic and so could be used for research with live, rather than fixed, cells. 

A striking feature of the molecule is its apparent ability to specifically bind certain DNA structures, offering the possibility of the direct detection of these structures in living cells and the use of this compound as a tool for studying cell biology.

We have filed a patent application on a family of compounds related to this molecule and their use in an array of possible applications.

There are an enormous range of possible applications for this technology and we are seeking commercial partners to develop particular applications of the molecule that utilise its ability to: 

• Change colour depending on the presence of different DNA sequences/structures
• Bind certain DNA structures preferentially
• Enter living cells 

Further information is available on this opportunity under an appropriate confidentiality agreement.