RUI: Thermodynamics of RNA Structural Motifs

RUI：RNA 结构基序的热力学

• 批准号: 0744631
• 负责人: Martin Serra
• 金额: $ 20.31万
• 依托单位: Allegheny College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-03-01 至 2011-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0744631&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Thermodynamics; RNA; Structural; Motifs

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.

这项研究的最终目标是开发模型来预测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双链体的热力学稳定性。这些研究将联合收割机结合RNA双链体的热力学和结构表征，以更好地理解RNA环的性质。RNA与多种生物活性密切相关。在基因表达过程中，它们既是信息分子，又是解码机器的一部分。生物分子，包括RNA，必须折叠成正确的三维形状，以获得其活性功能形式。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。本科生将执行所有调查，包括选择要调查的序列，为他们提供优秀的培训和宝贵的研究经验。这项工作将在同行评审的期刊上发表，并在包括区域和国家ACS会议在内的科学会议上传播。