Engineered allosteric ribozymes as biosensor components.
RNA and DNA molecules can be engineered to function as molecular switches that trigger catalytic events when a specific target molecule becomes bound. Recent studies on the underlying biochemical properties of these constructs indicate that a significant untapped potential exists for the practical application of allosteric nucleic acids. Engineered molecular switches can be used to report the presence of specific analytes in complex mixtures, making possible the creation of new types of biosensor devices and genetic control elements.
Breaker
Ronald R
RR
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8103, USA. ronald.breaker@yale.edu
D000494:Allosteric Regulation; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002384:Catalysis; D002616:Chemical Engineering; D007700:Kinetics; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics
D016337:RNA, Catalytic