Although previously thought to be only passive carriers of genetic information, recent discoveries have led scientists to reevaluate the importance of RNAs in a cellular context. However, there is a considerable lack of RNA structural data, with RNA-only structures making up less than 1% of total PDB structures. The structural characterization of RNAs is challenging due to inherent structural polydispersity arising from post-transcriptional modifications and solution-dependent conditions. Our group develops complementary gas-phase techniques to broaden the biophysical characterization toolbox.
For more details, please refer to Anders, A., et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146 (7).