RUI: Thermodynamics of RNA Structural Motifs

在这项研究项目中，将开发和应用计算方法来根据核糖核酸(RNA)分子的序列预测其结构。本科生将进行所有的调查，包括选择要调查的序列，为他们提供良好的培训和宝贵的研究经验。PI实验室的学生在获得理科学士学位后，在研究生院和专业学校就读的记录都很好。自2005年以来，这些学生中有11人就读于化学或生物化学研究生院；12人就读于专业学校。这些学生参加的研究生项目包括耶鲁大学、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、俄亥俄州立大学、亚利桑那州立大学和伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-香槟分校。这项工作将在同行评议的期刊和科学会议上，包括在区域和国家会议上，作为出版的手稿分发。自2006年以来，PI的29名学生一直是论文的共同作者。在过去的八年里，20名学生在国家或地区会议上发表了演讲。二级结构预测方面的改进将被纳入由马修斯实验室(罗切斯特大学)发布的二级结构预测程序RNA Structure中。此外，暑期还将招募一名高中科学教师加入研究小组。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。这反过来又增强了教师的能力和经验基础，并有助于在高中科学课堂上获得更丰富的教与学经验。该项目的目标是开发模型，根据核糖核酸(RNA)分子的序列预测其结构。RNA与多种生物学活动密切相关。在基因表达(蛋白质合成)的过程中，它们充当信息分子和合成机制的一部分。生物分子，包括RNA，必须折叠成正确的三维形状，才能获得它们的活性功能形式。根据序列预测RNA结构的能力将提高我们对RNA及其生物学作用的理解。该项目将开发从序列预测RNA结构的模型。这些研究将结合RNA的稳定性和结构表征，以实现对RNA本质的更好理解。

In this research project computational methods will be developed and applied to predict the structure of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) molecules from their sequence. 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 PI's laboratory have an excellent track record for attending graduate and professional schools after obtaining their BS degrees. Since 2005, 11 of these students are attending graduate school in either chemistry or biochemistry; and, 12 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, Ohio State University, Arizona State University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This work will be disseminated as published manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings including regional and national meetings. Since 2006, 29 of the PI's students have been co-authors on papers. In the past eight years, 20 students have given presentations at either national or regional meetings. The improvements in secondary structure prediction will be incorporated into RNA structure, a secondary structure prediction program distributed by the Mathews lab (University of Rochester). In addition, a high school science 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, in turn, enhances the teacher's abilities and experience base and makes for a richer teaching and learning experience in high school science classes.The objective of this project is to develop models to predict the structure of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) molecules from their sequence. RNAs are intimately involved in a wide variety of biological activities. During the process of gene expression (protein synthesis), they serve as informational molecules and part of the synthesis 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. This project will develop models for the prediction of RNA structure from sequence. These studies will combine both stability and structural characterization of RNA to achieve a better understanding of the nature of RNA.