The primary target of many cytotoxic drugs employed in treating different human cancers is the double-helix DNA structure. It's noteworthy that over 85% of small-molecule drugs aimed at targeting DNA in cancer research face rejection due to their restricted effectiveness and tendency to induce side effects. To address this challenge, attention has shifted towards G-quadruplexes (G4s), unique DNA structures prevalent in the human genome. G4s are notably concentrated within the promoters of cancer-associated genes and commonly amplified loci in cancers. Consequently, G4s are emerging as specific targets for potential anticancer drugs, offering a promising alternative to traditional therapies.

Aligned with this topic, Dr Deiana’s research extensively focuses on exploring the diverse functions of G4s within the field of cancer biology. Dr Deiana specifically dedicate his efforts to leverage the potential of G4s in shaping innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

New Diagnostics: Dr. Deiana has focused on developing novel chemical tools to study G4 dynamics and understand their biological roles. This includes the creation of fluorescent probes with high selectivity for G4 structures, enabling the detection of specific subgroups and even sequence-specific G4 architectures. These studies have been published in reputable journals such as:

• ACS Chem. Biol. (https://doi.org/10.1021/acschembio.1c00134)
• Chem. Commun. (https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC05483F)
• Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201912027)
• Phys. Chem. Lett. (https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c03301)

New Therapeutics: Dr. Deiana's research also delves into the therapeutic aspects of G4s in cancer treatment. He has investigated small-molecule G4-stabilizers' ability to induce DNA damage and genomic instability. Moreover, Dr. Deiana has explored the field of photo-pharmacology by using light-activated G4-ligands to inhibit DNA replication in cancer cells and conducted research on molecular photo-switches to modulate the complexation process between azobenzene molecules and G4 structures. Notably, a significant portion of his work revolves around G4s in photodynamic therapy, particularly in developing photosensitizers that bind to G4s within cells, initiating photocytotoxicity at low doses. These studies have been published in reputable journals such as:

• J. Am. Chem. Soc. (https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.9b11232)
• Nanoscale (https://doi.org/10.1039/D1NR02855C)
• J. Phys. Chem. Lett. (https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c02207)
• Nucleic Acids Res. (https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkad365)