Difference between revisions of "Riboswitches"
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Riboswitches are small sequences in mRNA that bind small molecules to regulate translation and occasionally transcription. Riboswitches occur naturally in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Desai and Gallivan hoped to find new synthetic riboswitches (riboswitches with new ligand specificities) by creating libraries of mutant riboswitches and using genetic selection to pick the functional ones of interest. Desai and Gallivan also employed riboswitches to screen for the presence of specific small molecules. In theory riboswitches are perfect because the number of aptamers already in existence and our capbaility to engineer new aptamers through rational design. | Riboswitches are small sequences in mRNA that bind small molecules to regulate translation and occasionally transcription. Riboswitches occur naturally in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Desai and Gallivan hoped to find new synthetic riboswitches (riboswitches with new ligand specificities) by creating libraries of mutant riboswitches and using genetic selection to pick the functional ones of interest. Desai and Gallivan also employed riboswitches to screen for the presence of specific small molecules. In theory riboswitches are perfect because the number of aptamers already in existence and our capbaility to engineer new aptamers through rational design. | ||
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Revision as of 05:53, 13 November 2007
Riboswitches are small sequences in mRNA that bind small molecules to regulate translation and occasionally transcription. Riboswitches occur naturally in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Desai and Gallivan hoped to find new synthetic riboswitches (riboswitches with new ligand specificities) by creating libraries of mutant riboswitches and using genetic selection to pick the functional ones of interest. Desai and Gallivan also employed riboswitches to screen for the presence of specific small molecules. In theory riboswitches are perfect because the number of aptamers already in existence and our capbaility to engineer new aptamers through rational design.
