Collaborative studies on a few different systems are underway. A structure of an essential SRP RNA moiety has been determined. This 'dimer packaging' is governed by specific sequences and their interaction with the Gag polyprotein. We have solved the structure of the intermediate loop-loop homodimer formed by a truncated version of SL1. This work is done in collaboration with Prof. Tris Parslow's lab.
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative conditions.
That sequence was selected as the N-terminal 90 residues of the isolated, native protein can be cleaved to yield a protein which is capable of inducing scrapie in healthy hamsters. Dynamic aspects of the structure are almost certainly essential in the transformation of the normal cellular to the infectious form of the prion protein. This work is carried out in collaboration with Prof. Stan Prusiner's lab. Nucleic Acid Structure-Based Ligand Discovery. We have performed initial work in developing a strategy to develop ligands based on detailed three-dimensional RNA structure.