The Znosko Lab

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is an important biomolecule that performs various functions within the cell. One of the main roles of RNA is to convert the genetic information encoded in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into proteins. Protein biosynthesis is controlled entirely by RNA. RNA translates the DNA code into amino acid code and forms chemical bonds between amino acids to construct proteins. Sequencing projects, such as the Human Genome Project, are capable of generating sequence information at a rate greater than a million nucleotides a day. While sequences of many important ribonucleic acids (RNA) have been determined, little is known about structure-function relationships of RNA. One reason for this lack of information is that there is little definitive secondary and tertiary structural information about RNA. X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods are providing an increasing number of RNA structures, but it is unlikely that these methods will keep pace with the rate at which interesting sequences are being discovered. Thus, there is a need for reliable, rapid methods to predict secondary and tertiary structures of RNA. Being able to predict secondary and tertiary structures of RNA provides a foundation for determining structure-function relationships for RNA and for targeting RNA with therapeutics. Research in the Znosko laboratory focuses on the thermodynamics and structural features of RNA motifs. We utilize chemical, biochemical, UV/vis spectroscopic, and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, in addition to various computer programs and molecular visualization software.