RNA Dynamics by Solution and Solid State Deuterium NMR

这个项目的目标是通过应用固体和溶液核磁共振的创新磁共振方法来研究RNA的动力学。这个项目背后的中心假设是，运动是RNA功能的一个基本方面：因此，理解核酸的生物功能需要了解运动对蛋白质和小分子分子识别的调节程度。通过了解其运动，该项目将进一步了解分子识别原理。通过该项目开发的研究核酸功能动力学的新工具将广泛适用于其他核酸系统。由于该项目是高度跨学科的，涵盖生物物理学、化学、分子生物学和药理学，它为科学合作、让本科生和研究生接触跨学科研究以及培训未被充分代表的少数民族学生提供了许多机会。

The objective of this project is to study dynamics in RNA by applying innovative magnetic resonance methods of solid and solution state NMR. The central hypothesis underlying this project is that motion is an essential aspect of RNA function: therefore, understanding the biological function of nucleic acids requires knowledge of the degree to which motions modulate molecular recognition by proteins and small molecules. By understanding its motions, the project will further understanding of the molecular recognition principles. The new tools to study functional dynamics in nucleic acids developed through this project will be broadly applicable to other nucleic acid systems. Because the project is highly interdisciplinary, spanning biophysics, chemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology, it provides many opportunities for scientific collaborations and for exposing undergraduate and graduate students to interdisciplinary research, and for the training of under-represented minority students.