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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
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.