X-ray scattering of crystals (cristallography)

The knowledge of nucleic acids structure grew rapidly over the past decade with the determination to high resolution of larger structures of great biological significance. Crystallography provides precise molecular structures to get insights into molecular flexibility. In addition, crystal structures reveal hydration pattern, ion binding and nucleic acid-ligand interactions. Together with beamline scientists of the Swiss Light Source (SLS) at the Paul Scherrer Institute and its excellent infrastructure, we investigate the structural and functional role of metal ions in RNA. By means of X-ray crystallography we are able to solve important structural states of RNA, in order to understand the function of metal ions in RNA folding.

Group members involved: Guanya Peng, Michelle Schaffer, Joachim Schnabl.

Further reading:

• Mooers, B. H. (2009). Crystallographic studies of DNA and RNA. Methods 47(3): 168-76.
• Ferre-D'Amare, A. R. and J. A. Doudna (2001). Methods to crystallize RNA. Curr Protoc Nucleic Acid Chem Chapter 7: Unit 7 6.
• Holbrook, S. R., E. L. Holbrook, et al. (2001). Crystallization of RNA. Cell Mol Life Sci 58(2): 234-43.