Yildirim Lab · Florida Atlantic University
RNA Internal Loops
Noncanonical RNA motifs, repeat expansions, and dynamic local structures.
RNA Internal Loops
Internal loops are important RNA motifs that influence local structure, flexibility, and molecular recognition. In RNA repeat expansions, 1×1 and larger internal loops can form multiple stable conformations and may be selectively stabilized by ligand binding.
The lab studies internal-loop dynamics using atomistic simulations and related computational tools to better understand RNA folding, disease-related repeat expansions, and small molecule recognition.
Key themes: AA and UU internal loops, CAG/CUG/CCUG repeat expansions, noncanonical base pairs, dynamic ensembles.
