title: Ribozymes: catalytic RNAs that cut things, make things, and do odd and useful jobs.
abstract: Catalytic RNAs, or ribozymes, are a fossil record of the ancient molecular evolution of life on earth and still provide the essential core of macromolecule synthesis in all life forms today. Are they also an avenue to the development of new catalysts to recreate evolution, or to use as therapeutics and molecule sensors.
authors.affiliation: The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, USA. nwalter@umich.edu
authors.forename: Nils G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Engelke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012322:RNA Precursors; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal