Seminar by Prof. Aditi Borkar, Asst. Prof. in Molecular Biochemistry and Biochemistry at University of Nottingham, UK

06 Aug 2024
Seminar Room # 350, second floor annex

Speaker: Prof. Aditi Borkar
Assistant Professor in Molecular Biochemistry and
Biochemistry at University of Nottingham, UK

Title: "From Ice to Insight: Cryo-OrbiSIMS enables
integrative modelling of RNA at atomic resolution."

Day and Date: Tuesday, August 06, 2024

Time: 4.00 PM.

Venue: Room no. 350, Chemistry Department
Second floor, Annex

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Hosted by Prof. Ruchi Anand

Talk Title: "From Ice to Insight: Cryo-OrbiSIMS enables integrative modelling of RNA at atomic resolution."
Abstract
RNAs are one of the most challenging systems to study using conventional structural biology techniques. To address this challenge, we recently pioneered the use of cryogenic OrbiSIMS mass spectroscopy data in RNA folding and structure refinement algorithms to model native structures with atomic precision (Ward et al. 2024 Nat Comms). Through rigorous benchmarking against the existing high-resolution structures of prototypical systems available in the PDB, we have also thoroughly evaluated the accuracy, reliability, and limitations of our technique. Going beyond method development, by utilising the 7SK RNP as a test case, we have successfully unravelled the complete 3D structure of this native RNA in its apo and protein-bound forms, as well as in its disease-remodelled state. This comprehensive analysis provides unprecedented insights into the structural dynamics and interactions of the 7SK complex, with potential implications for understanding disease mechanisms. Bio: Aditi Borkar is an Assistant Professor in Molecular Biochemistry and Biochemistry at University of Nottingham, UK, where she is pioneering the study of structure and dynamics of native RNP complexes at atomic resolution. While her focus is on HIV pathogenesis as a model, her research also encompass other RNA viruses like Arenaviruses and RNA misfolding diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy. Aditi’s expertise spans a range of techniques, including integrated biophysics, cryo-Electron Microscopy, Mass Spectroscopy, and computer simulations, and her team often engages in innovative method development for RNA structure analysis. Before coming to Nottingham, Aditi completed her PhD from University of Cambridge in Structural Biology and continued as a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow between University of Cambridge, UK; University of Bonn, Germany and Yale University, USA.