核糖体RNA (rRNA)是生物体内非常重要的一类RNA，对体内蛋白质的合成起着决定性作用，其功能的实现与自身能折叠成为稳定的高级结构密不可分。因此，研究rRNA的折叠/解折叠行为及其作用机理具有非常重要的科学意义。虽然前人已经取得了一些优异的研究成果，但是从单分子层面对rRNA折叠/解折叠行为及其作用机理的研究还鲜见报道。本项目拟利用单分子力谱技术研究结构较为简单的两种天然rRNA (5S rRNA, 16S rRNA)在折叠/解折叠过程中的微观力学行为及其与核糖结合蛋白（RPL5, P34）之间的相互作用机理，探索其在微小力诱导下的折叠/解折叠行为、rRNA与核糖结合蛋白之间的相互作用机理、以及温度和极性等外界条件对rRNA微观结构的影响。期望通过深入系统的研究，总结基本物理化学规律，从单分子层面为RNA折叠/解折叠行为及其作用机理研究提供新的依据和补充。

Ribosome RNA (rRNA), which is one of the most important biomacromolecules in the organisms, plays a key role in the protein synthesis process. To accomplish these biological functions, rRNA must be folded into a stable high-level structure spontaneously. Therefore, it is very important that investigate the mechanical properties of rRNA in folding/unfolding process under physiological condition. Although previous studies propose a series of excellent results, very few data have been published on investigation of the mechanical properties of rRNA at its folding/unfolding process. In this project, the mechanical properties of two kinds of natural rRNA (5S rRNA and 16S rRNA) will be studied by single-molecule AFM to investigate the process of the force induced folding/unfolding of rRNA, the action mechanism between ribosome RNA and ribosomal protein (RPL5, P34), and the effect of micro-environment (e.g., temperature, solvent polarity and etc) on the structure of rRNA. It is anticipated that the investigation of the single-chain mechanical properties of the rRNA and its mechanism is helpful for the study of the folding/unfolding behaviours of rRNA at the single-chain level. Also, it will be benefit the design and synthesis of RNA nanomachine, and the prevention and treatment of diseases.