This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.
We aim to investigate the applicability of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and single particle reconstruction (SPR) to structural and folding studies of small RNAs. These RNAs are at least two-times smaller in size than the generally conceived limits for this technique. Our preliminary results indicate that cryo-EM can directly image conformations of RNAs in different structural and functional states. This approach is very useful for elucidating RNA structure and function, particularly those whose function is toggled on/off through conformational adjustments and/or folding proceses, e.g. ribozymes that catalyze chemical reactions or riboswitches that regulate gene expression. The cryo-EM/SPR technique requires extensive computational power. We have been working with computers that take days for the processing of a single data set. Computational resources provided by the Teragrid will significantly enhance this study.
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