Nuclear magnetic resonance has become a powerful tool for the elucidation of protein and nucleic acid structure and dynamics. The research focuses on the development and application of high-resolution NMR and other biophysical methodology for the analysis of RNA structure in marine systems that have applicability to human health. Current projects include the study of the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions of the infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV), a negative-strand RNA virus that infects salmon. This research represents the first in-depth structural study of the “panhandle” RNA motif in ISAV and could form the structural basis for future rational development of therapeutic treatments for ISAV. A secondary focus of our work entails the development of chemical and spin probes to further elucidate understanding of these systems.

 

key words

Chemical probes; Marine viruses; Nuclear magnetic resonance; RNA; Structure and function;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants