The binding of antibiotics and drugs to DNA is a fast developing area of research with important applications in medicine, particularly the treatment of cancer. Sequence-specific DNA Binding Agents uniquely discusses key aspects of this topic, providing a novel perspective on the subject. Written by experts in the field, this book discusses diverse modes of binding of antibiotics and drugs to DNA, emphasising matters that are important or promising for cancer treatment. Chapters discuss established agents like actinomycin D but also look at novel drugs with strong potential in chemotherapy such as new topoisomerase inhibitors, telomerase inhibitors, peptide nucleic acids and triple helix-forming oligonucleotides. There are also sections discussing methodological advances including computational methods, slow kinetics, melting curve analysis and approaches to medicinal chemistry. Finally there is a section on RNA structure and its potential as a drug target. The book is ideal for researchers in industry and academia who require a comprehensive source of reference to this rapidly expanding subject.

Chapter 1: DNA recognition by triple helix formation; Chapter 2: Interfacial inhibitors of human topoisomerase I; Chapter 3: Diversity of topoisomerase I inhibitors for cancer chemotherapy; Chapter 4: Slow DNA binding; Chapter 5: DNA Gene Targeting using Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA); Chapter 6: Actinomycin D - Sixty years of progress in characterising a sequence-selective DNA binding agent; Chapter 7: Thermal denaturation of drug-DNA complexes - Tools and tricks; Chapter 8: Computer simulations of drug-DNA interactions - a personal journey; Chapter 9: The discovery of G-quadruplex telomere targeting drugs; Chapter 10: The Mechanism of Action of Telomestatin, a G-Quadruplex-Interactive Compound; Chapter 11: Riboswitches and Ribozymes