RUI: Examining Non-Canonical Interactions in Small RNA Motifs

智力优势：RNA分子在基因表达的各个方面以及许多其他细胞过程中发挥着重要作用。在细胞内，RNA分子形成独特的结构，与DNA、蛋白质、其他RNA和各种代谢物相互作用，以实现这些功能。RNA分子含有各种反复出现的结构特征或基序。该项目旨在增加对重复RNA基序内结合细节的理解，并阐明RNA结构形成的规则。科罗拉多大学本科生将使用热力学方法测量小RNA结构的稳定性，包括热变性和等温量热法。然后对RNA的特定区域进行修饰，并比较修饰前后的RNA稳定性，以确定每个结构基序的键合关键因素。提高对结构形成的一般规则的理解将提高我们从基因组数据库中获得更多信息的能力，以预测细胞中RNA形成的结构并阐明其功能和作用机制。在转录过程中，指导和稳定RNA折叠的重复RNA结构的详细热力学参数将提高我们对RNA折叠的理解，因为这些结构可能作为形成高阶结构的成核位点。更广泛的影响：这项工作的更广泛的影响包括提高对RNA结构基序的认识，以及在课堂内外招募和培训本科生使用当前的研究方法。生物化学课程的实验室正在进行修改，以便在课堂上向学生介绍研究方法。在核酸生物化学课程中，学生将设计一个基于RNA的项目，并运用所学的热力学知识来理解RNA的结构。这个项目将加强他们对热力学和RNA结构和功能的理解，并将他们引入RNA研究。本科生将有一个选择，从他们的入门课程开始做研究。多达8名本科生将在研究实验室工作，并参与开发和测试关于小RNA结构和功能的假设。生物化学班的女性和少数族裔学生将优先在实验室做研究。此外，本科生将有机会参加朗费罗小学和奥杜邦小学的外展工作。小学生将通过测试溶解度和密度等概念的假设来学习科学的基本原理。学生将运用科学知识，就爱滋病毒的生命周期及治疗等课题，向公众提供有关RNA的资讯，为社会作出积极贡献；这反过来又使科学与他们的生活息息相关。科学社区推广项目是专门为提高公众的科学素养而设计的。与科罗拉多大学共享设备和专业知识，科罗拉多斯普林斯分校将在当地建造桥梁，并使所有参与者受益。来自松树溪高中的高中生和老师也将在夏季参与RNA研究。松溪高中的生物课程将引入定量方法。

Intellectual Merit:RNA molecules play important roles in all aspects of gene expression as well as many other cellular processes. Inside the cell, RNA molecules form distinct structures to interact with DNA, proteins, other RNAs and with various metabolites to carry out these functions. RNA molecules contain various recurrent structural features or motifs. This project aims to increase understanding of the details of bonding within recurrent RNA motifs and to elucidate rules for RNA structure formation. Colorado College undergraduates will measure the stabilities of small RNA structures using thermodynamic methods, including thermal denaturation and isothermal calorimetry. Particular regions of RNA will then be modified, and RNA stabilities before and after the modification will be compared to identify key contributors to bonding for each structural motif. Improved understanding of the general rules for structure formation will improve our ability to get greater information from the genome databases, to predict the structures formed by RNA in the cell and to elucidate their functions and mechanisms of action. Detailed thermodynamic parameters for recurrent RNA structures that guide and stabilize the folding of RNA as it is transcribed will improve our understanding of RNA folding, as these structures may serve as nucleation sites for the formation of higher-order structures. Broader Impact:Broader impacts of this work include the scientific impact of improved knowledge of RNA structural motifs and recruitment and training of undergraduates in current research methods both inside and outside of the classroom. The laboratories in biochemistry courses are being modified to introduce research methodology to the students in the classroom. In nucleic acids biochemistry course, students will design an RNA-based project and apply their thermodynamic knowledge to understanding RNA structures. This project will strengthen their understanding of thermodynamics and RNA structure and function along introducing them to RNA research. Undergraduate students will be presented with an option to do research starting in their introductory classes. Up to eight undergraduate students will work in the research laboratory and participate in developing and testing hypotheses on small RNA structure and function. Women and minority students from biochemistry classes will be given priority to do research in the laboratory. In addition, undergraduate students will be provided opportunities to participate in outreach work with Longfellow and Audubon Elementary Schools. Elementary school students will learn the basic principles of science by testing hypothesis on concepts such as solubility and density. Students will make a positive contribution to the society by using their scientific knowledge to provide information about RNA to the general public on topics such as HIV's life cycle and its treatment; this in turn makes science relevant to their lives. The science outreach projects to the community are specifically designed to raise the scientific literacy of the general public. Sharing of equipment and expertise with University of Colorado, Colorado Springs will build bridges locally and will benefit all involved. High school students and teachers from Pine Creek High School will also participate in RNA research during the summer. Quantitative methods will be introduced into biology courses at Pine Creek High School.