The Nucleic Acid InfraRed spectroscopy DataBase (NAIRDB) is a collaborative effort between researchers from Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Nord, CEA Saclay and the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw. The database contains an extensive collection of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra for a wide range of nucleic acid molecules, including DNA, RNA, and their derivatives. The NAIRDB database provides a systematic collection of FTIR data sets, with detailed descriptions of experimental conditions, including sample preparation, data acquisition parameters, and data processing methods. The database also includes information on the secondary and tertiary structures of the nucleic acids, as well as literature references for each data set. The NAIRDB database provides a valuable resource for researchers interested in the structure and function of nucleic acids and can be used for comparative analyses of nucleic acid structures across a wide range of experimental conditions. It can be used in conjunction with NACDDB, the nucleic acid circular dichroism database. The NAIRDB database is continuously updated with new FTIR spectra as they become available. We encourage authors and users to contribute to the database by submitting their FTIR data and contacting us through the website's Contact Form. The database is free for all users, requires no password and is mobile-friendly.
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique used to study the vibrational characteristics of molecules.
It is based on the interaction between infrared radiation and a sample, and the resulting absorption of the radiation.
The basic principle of FTIR is the Fourier transform, which converts the time-domain signal generated by the interaction of the infrared radiation with the sample into a wavenumber-domain spectrum.
The resulting spectrum provides a unique "fingerprint" of the sample, allowing for identification and characterization of the molecular structure and composition of the molecule analysed.
FTIR spectroscopy is widely used in various scientific fields, including chemistry, materials science, biology, and medicine.
FTIR is thus a powerful tool for studying the structural characteristics of biological macromolecules, including nucleic acids.
RNA and DNA, the two main types of nucleic acids, have unique spectral fingerprints that can be used to study their structural and conformational properties.
Both in RNA and DNA, the FTIR spectrum is dominated by the signals from the sugar-phosphate backbone and the nucleotide bases.
The backbone signals provide information on the nucleic acid conformation, including helical twisting and bending.
The signals from the bases are sensitive to hydrogen bonding and base stacking interactions, and hence to changes in the overall secondary and tertiary structure.
One of the key advantages of FTIR spectroscopy is that it is a label-free method, meaning that no chemical modification or labeling is required.
This makes it an ideal technique for studying native nucleic acid structures.
Additionally, as FTIR can provide information on both the nucleotide bases and the sugar-phosphate backbone of the nucleic acid, it allows a comprehensive analysis of the entire macromolecule.
FTIR has proven to be a useful technique for studying various aspects of nucleic acid structure.
The sensitivity to conformational changes make it useful for studying DNA and RNA folding and structural transitions.
Comparison of FTIR spectra can be used to analyze effects of mutations.
FTIR has also been used to study the effect of DNA modifications, such as methylation, on the spectral fingerprint of the DNA, which can provide insight into the role of these modifications in epigenetic regulation.
FTIR also allows to analyse the effect of proteins on DNA/RNA structure.
One of the key challenges in FTIR spectroscopy of nucleic acids is the presence of strong water absorption bands in the infrared region, which can interfere with the analysis of the nucleic acid spectrum.
However, various strategies have been developed to minimize the water interference, including the use of deuterated solvents and the subtraction of water spectra.
Both will be presented in NAIRDB as they give complementary information.
Despite the challenges posed by water interference, FTIR remains a powerful tool for studying nucleic acids and has the potential to contribute to a better understanding of their complex biological functions.