Ultrathin Nanopores for Structural Analysis of Small Nucleic Acids
Event details
| Date | 11.11.2013 |
| Hour | 15:45 |
| Speaker |
Prof. Meni Wanunu, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (USA) Bio: Assistant Professor; PhD obtained 2005 from Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. Our research involves studying biosystems at the nanoscale (macromolecular and sub-molecular levels). Subtle changes in the chemical structure of biomolecules can enormously impact their function: In the morning sickness drug thalidomide, the enantiomeric form (mirror image of the same exact molecule) causes severe birth defects; a single base substitution in a gene, aka a mutation, is sufficient to cause disease by producing a malfunctioning protein; subtle changes in molecular structure to DNA, such as the addition of a methyl group, are now known to regulate gene expression. Many of the mechanisms by which miniscule chemical changes affect biomolecular function are unknown to date. To address these questions, our group is developing novel techniques that probe how small molecular changes affect the global properties of macromolecules and biomolecules. Using various tools enabled by nanotechnology, we investigate biomolecular structure and dynamics at their corresponding size scale. Techniques used in the lab include micro- and nano-fabrication, organic and inorganic thin film deposition, interfacial chemistry and bioconjugate chemistry, scanning probe microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, electronic/optical measurements, and many more. |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Pinpointing the mechanisms behind function in biological macromolecules is essential for understanding the emerging and evolving nature of life. Biological macromolecules have evolved over billions of years to function efficiently in the highly heterogeneous, crowded environment of a cell. In particular, non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) and deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) are are omnipresent in cells, preforming both regulatory and catalytic functions by virtue of their structure. One class of such nucleic acids, ironically termed “junk DNA,”, is significantly involved in orchestrating gene regulation. The RNA subunits of the ribosome are an integral part of the translational machinery for protein synthesis. Many ribozymes and other viral RNAs such as the hammerhead ribozyme and the canonical internal ribosome entry site, exhibit enzymatic activity. Although the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the uniting theme in these non-coding nucleic acids is that their tertiary (spatial) structure yields specific chemical activities and functions. While existing techniques (e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray crystallography) provide detailed structural information, inherent drawbacks such as ensemble averaging errors, crystallization artifacts, low time resolutions, and the need for ample amounts of material, limit the availability and relevancy of the obtained structural information. Bioinformatics-based tools aim to bridge the gap in knowledge by proposing a homology-based approach to structural prediction, although viable experimental techniques are required in order to unequivocally support and improve such predictions.
In this talk, I will present our group’s efforts to fabricate nanoscale pore devices for extracting useful structural information about nucleic acids that display in vivo function. Electron-beam irradiation of various thin freestanding membranes affords nanopores with controlled dimensions and interfacial properties, to a quality level that allows highly sensitive analysis of individual nucleic acids in solution at high-throughput. I will describe the properties of our nanopores, as well as some of our recent explorations that have permitted the analysis of DNA and RNA structures.
In this talk, I will present our group’s efforts to fabricate nanoscale pore devices for extracting useful structural information about nucleic acids that display in vivo function. Electron-beam irradiation of various thin freestanding membranes affords nanopores with controlled dimensions and interfacial properties, to a quality level that allows highly sensitive analysis of individual nucleic acids in solution at high-throughput. I will describe the properties of our nanopores, as well as some of our recent explorations that have permitted the analysis of DNA and RNA structures.
Links
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
- Prof. Aleksandra Radenovic