Guest Editors
Niyati Jain
CSIR-IGIB
<p>Dr. Niyati Jain is an accomplished RNA structural biologist with extensive expertise in solution-state NMR spectroscopy and RNA–protein interactions. Over the past decade, she has focused on investigating the structural and dynamic features of RNA molecules that govern their function in both viral and cellular contexts. Her research integrates structural, biophysical, and biochemical methods, including NMR, ITC, MST, and functional assays, to uncover the molecular basis of RNA-mediated regulation. Through her work, Dr. Jain has contributed valuable insights into the mechanisms of RNA structure and function, leading to several publications in peer-reviewed journals. She continues to pursue research at the interface of structural biology and molecular medicine, with a vision to advance RNA-based therapeutic strategies.</p>
Ajit Kumar
CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology
<p>Dr. Ajit Kumar has expertise in biochemical and biophysical characterization of RNA-protein complexes. His doctoral research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of lncRNA–protein interactions and their role in gene regulation. He developed a solid foundation in techniques like RNA-protein biochemistry and interaction studies using EMSA, ITC, MST, analytical-SEC, RNA-protein NMR spectroscopy, and X-RAY crystallography. He is interested in understanding the nexus of evolutionarily conserved RNA structures and their recognition by RNA-binding proteins to regulate cellular functions. Currently, Dr. Kumar is a senior research fellow at CSIR-IGIB, dedicated to harnessing RNA-based strategies to design novel therapeutic interventions for combating disease.</p>
Collection Overview
The biochemical functions of cells are fundamentally driven by molecular interactions among biomolecules, particularly RNA–RNA and RNA–protein interactions. These interactions govern a wide range of essential processes, including gene regulation, RNA stability, splicing, translation, and the assembly of ribonucleoprotein complexes. Despite their importance, many of these mechanisms remain poorly understood due to the complexity and dynamic nature of RNA structures and their binding partners. To unravel these intricate processes, there is a growing need to not only refine existing techniques but also to develop innovative methods capable of probing RNA interactions at multiple levels of resolution.
A comprehensive approach involves integrating structural, biophysical, and biochemical methods. Structural tools such as NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-electron microscopy allow visualization of RNA conformations and complexes at atomic or near-atomic detail. Complementary biophysical techniques, including ITC, MST, and fluorescence-based assays, provide quantitative insights into binding affinities, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Alongside these, biochemical methods, such as crosslinking, footprinting, and mutational analysis, offer functional validation of structural observations.
By combining these diverse strategies, researchers can bridge the gap between structural insights and functional outcomes, enabling a deeper understanding of RNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Such knowledge is essential for advancing RNA biology and uncovering therapeutic opportunities.
