Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers
Published on: August 20, 2014
Artificial ribozyme switches containing natural riboswitch aptamer domains
Markus Wieland1, Armin Benz, Benedikt Klauser
1Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
Abstract:
RNA Lego: The use of natural riboswitch aptamers in synthetic RNA switches (see picture) should broaden the scope of artificial RNA regulators dramatically. It is shown that thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) aptamers can be used in engineered devices as very sensitive switches of gene expression in unmodified organisms. The approach demonstrates that intrinsic metabolites can be utilized as external effectors of cellular functions.
Related Concept Videos
Riboswitches
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
Ribozymes
Ribozymes can be...
Ribozymes
Ribozymes can be...
Types of RNA
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Types of RNA
RNA Performs Diverse...
Transcriptional Regulation: Riboswitches

