RUI: Thermodynamics of RNA Structural Motifs

这项研究的最终目标是建立模型来预测RNA分子的结构。细胞过程中的许多缺陷都是通过RNA介导的，预测其结构的能力将导致药物的合理设计。本研究的具体目的是表征含有凸起和发夹环的RNA双链的热力学稳定性。这些研究将结合RNA双链的热力学和结构表征，以更好地理解RNA环的本质。rna密切参与各种各样的生物活动。在基因表达过程中，它们既是信息分子，又是解码机制的一部分。生物分子，包括RNA，必须折叠成正确的三维形状，以获得它们的活性功能形式。从序列预测RNA结构的能力将提高我们对RNA及其生物学作用的理解。本科生将完成所有的调查，包括选择要调查的序列，为他们提供优秀的训练和宝贵的研究经验。这项工作将在同行评议的期刊和包括区域和国家ACS会议在内的科学会议上以出版手稿的形式传播。

The ultimate goal of this research is to develop models to predict the structure of RNA molecules from their sequence. Many defects in cellular processes are mediated through RNA, and the ability to predict their structure will lead to the rational design of drugs. The specific aim of this research is to characterize the thermodynamic stability of RNA duplexes containing bulge and hairpin loops. These studies will combine both thermodynamic and structural characterization of the RNA duplexes to achieve a better understanding of the nature of RNA loops. RNAs are intimately involved in a wide variety of biological activities. During the process of gene expression, they serve as both the informational molecules and as part of the decoding machinery. Biological molecules, including RNA, must fold into the correct three-dimensional shape to acquire their active-functional form. The ability to predict RNA structure from sequence will improve our understanding of RNA and its biological role. Undergraduate students will perform all of the investigations, including the selection of sequences to be investigated, providing them with excellent training and valuable research experience. This work will be disseminated both as published manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings including regional and national ACS meetings.