A personal perspective on chemistry-driven RNA research
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Updated: May 10, 2026

Practical Aspects of Sample Preparation and Setup of 1H R1ρ Relaxation Dispersion Experiments of RNA
Published on: July 9, 2021
Ronald Micura1, Christoph Kreutz, Kathrin Breuker
1Institute of Organic Chemistry, Center for Molecular Biosciences (CMBI), Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine (CCB), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
Abstract:
In this mini review, we discuss how our understanding of ribonucleic acid (RNA) properties becomes significantly deepened when a broad range of modern chemical and biophysical methods is applied. We span our perspective from RNA solid-phase synthesis and site-specific labeling to single-molecule fluorescence-resonance-energy-transfer imaging and NMR spectroscopy approaches to explore the dynamics of RNA over a broad timescale. We then move on to Fourier-transform-ion-cyclotron-resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) as a powerful technique for RNA sequencing and modification analysis. The novel methodological developments are discussed for selected biological systems that include the thiamine-pyrophosphate riboswitch, HIV and ribosomal A-site RNA, and transfer RNA.
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