Molecular Simulations of RNA Folding and Function (A09)

• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 2015 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 161793742

An emerging challenge in biophysical descriptions of RNA is to elucidate the connection between structure, dynamics and function in vivo. Recent experiments identified unexpected structuring in the RNA transcriptome, indicating regulatory roles for instance in splicing. A major aim of our project is to establish a bridge between secondary-structure prediction and high-resolution structural biology. In a hierarchical formulation using molecular mechanics and simulations, we will first construct extensive ensembles of single-stranded RNA and connect them to NMR, PELDOR and FRET experiments. By combining structured and unstructured segments, we then aim to gain insight into splice regulation on the SMN2 system characterized also experimentally.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 902: Molecular Principles of RNA-based Regulation
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Co-Applicant Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Gerhard Hummer