KINETIC AND SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF NUCLEIC ACIDS

这项研究的最终目标是确定指导力量的特征 核酸化学，并利用这一知识可靠地预测 从它们的序列中分析RNA分子的结构。由于……的行动 病毒是通过RNA传播的，而包括艾滋病在内的一些病毒是RNA， 研究结果可指导合理的药物设计。 通过对结构预测的研究，为结构预测提供基础 寡核苷酸的热力学、动力学和结构性质。我们的 对核酸化学一般原理的理解 将通过对自我的结构和机制的研究来检验 核糖体RNA前体的剪接干涉序列(IVS) 嗜热四膜虫(Tetrahymena Thermophila)这是已知的第一个断裂和制造的RNA 共价键，其结果将为我们提供对 这一新发现的现象的详细机制。

The ultimate goal of this research is to characterize the forces directing nucleic acid chemistry, and to use this knowledge to reliably predict structures of RNA molecules from their sequences. Since the action of viruses is mediated through RNA, and some viruses, including AIDS, are RNA, the results can lead to rational design of drugs. The foundation for structure prediction will be provided by studies of the thermodynamic, dynamic, and structural properties of oligonucleotides. Our understanding of the general principles governing nucleic acid chemistry will be tested by studies on the structure and mechanism of the self splicing intervening sequence (IVS) from the ribosomal RNA precursor in Tetrahymena thermophila. This is the first RNA known to break and make covalent bonds, and the results will provide important insights into the detailed mechanism of this newly discovered phenomenon.