Dissertation Research: In Vitro Evolution of a Group I Ribozyme: A Study in Sequence, Structure, and Function

小行星9623303 核酶是能够传递遗传信息和执行生化功能的最小生物分子。 在该奖项资助的研究中，这些RNA酶的新生物活性将使用一种新的体外实验系统产生。 这些实验探索了生物催化的分子基础，以及新的酶功能可能进化的容易程度。 这些问题，基本的细胞代谢的理解，以前只考虑在理论上的背景下。 在该奖项下进行的工作将揭示这些实验上易于处理和生物学上重要的分子的催化多功能性，并帮助建立潜在诊断，治疗和环境效用的生物分子的开发和设计指南。

9623303 Dorit Ribozymes are the smallest biological molecules capable of transmitting genetic information and of carrying out biochemical functions. In the research funded by this award, new biological activities for these RNA enzymes will be generated using a novel experimental in vitro system. These experiments explore the molecular basis of biocatalysis, and the ease with which novel enzymatic functions may be evolved. Such questions, fundamental to an understanding of cellular metabolism, have previously been considered only in a theoretical context. The work conducted under this award will reveal the catalytic versatility of these experimentally tractable and biologically important molecules, and help establish guidelines for the development and design of biomolecules of potential diagnostic, therapeutic and environmental utility.