RUI: Thermodynamics of RNA Structural Motifs

这个RUI项目的目标是开发模型来预测RNA分子的结构。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。这些研究将结合RNA双链的稳定性和结构特征，以更好地了解RNA结构的本质。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。PI实验室的学生在获得学士学位后进入研究生和专业学校学习的记录非常好。自2005年以来，这些学生中有8人正在攻读化学或生物化学研究生院；其中8人正在上职业学校。学生就读的研究生课程包括耶鲁大学、罗切斯特大学、宾夕法尼亚州立大学、杜克大学、卡内基梅隆大学和伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-香槟分校。自2000年以来，PI的27名学生是论文的共同作者。其中一名学生在1995年全国AAAS会议大学生海报竞赛中获奖。此外，一名高中化学教师将在暑期加入研究小组。高中教师将有机会使用最先进的技术、方法和仪器从事真实的研究。这将增强教师的能力和经验基础，使高中科学课的教学体验更加丰富。

The objective of this RUI project is to develop models to predict the structure of RNA molecules from their sequence. RNAs are intimately involved in a wide variety of biological activities. During the process of gene expression, they serve as informational molecules and part of the decoding machinery. Biological molecules, including RNA, must fold into the correct three-dimensional shape to acquire their active-functional form. These studies will combine both stability and structural characterization of RNA duplexes to achieve a better understanding of the nature of RNA structure. 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. Students from the PI's laboratory have an excellent track record for attending graduate and professional schools after obtaining their BS degrees. Since 2005, eight of these students are attending graduate school in either chemistry or biochemistry; and, eight are attending professional school. The graduate programs attended by the students include Yale University, University of Rochester, Penn State University, Duke University, Carnegie Mellon University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Since 2000, 27 of the PI's students have been co-authors on papers. One of the students won the undergraduate poster competition at the National AAAS meeting in 1995. In addition, a high school chemistry teacher will be recruited to join the research group during the summer. The high school teacher will have the opportunity to engage in authentic research using state-of-the-art techniques, methodology and instrumentation. This will enhance the teacher's abilities and experience base and make for a richer teaching and learning experience in high school science classes.