Characterization of the RNA-protein interactions involved in the replication of Subviral RNAs

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Plant viroids and the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) have very small RNA genomes and rely solely on interaction with host proteins for their life cycle. To better understand these subviral RNA species and how RNA-based life forms replicate, my long term objective is to identify both the host proteins and the RNA motifs involved in their biology. To achieve this goal, my research program will use three integrative approaches:******1) Using Molecular Biology, I will identify host proteins used by one viroid (i.e. potato spindle tuber viroid; PSTVd) and HDV, and characterize the RNA motifs they bind.***2) Using Genetics and Bioinformatics, I will identify the genomic RNA features that are conserved and selected for during the replication of several subviral RNA species.***3) Using Evolutionary genetics, I will select a small RNA replicon derived from the HDV RNA genome to better understand RNA-based life forms.******By integrating these approaches, my multidisciplinary research program will allow to understand the biology of these unique RNA-based life forms. These findings and approaches will also be valuable for comprehensive investigations of RNA-protein interactions in other biological processes, and will have broad implications for studying the structure-function relationships of RNA molecules.**