The Double Life of RNA

Lecture 3 – How to Accelerate a Reaction 100,000,000,000 Times Using Only RNA

by Thomas R. Cech, PhD

Search current video

1. Start of Lecture 3
2. Introduction by HHMI Vice President Dr. Joseph Perpich
3. Interview with Dr. Thomas Cech
4. Outline of the lecture
5. Biochemical mechanism of RNA splicing
6. Transesterification reaction
7. The system used for studying the nature of catalysis
8. Structural basis of catalysis
9. Laboratory data showing RNA cleavage
10. Estimating the affinity of an enzyme for its substrate
11. Single atom substitution causes reaction failure
12. Metal ions are important in the catalytic reaction
13. How do you build the active site with RNA?
14. Using electron microscopy to see RNA structures
15. Extending molecules to study ribozyme structure
16. Crystalizing ribozymes to study molecular structure
17. Q&A: Inhibitors that compete with the active site?
18. Q&A: Do pH and temperature affect ribozymes?
19. Q&A: Which base pairs to use for arm extension?
20. Q&A: Can ribozymes keep going?
21. Q&A: Is Mg the most effective metal ion cofactor?
22. Q&A: Do RNA catalysts handle specific cell functions?
23. Closing remarks by HHMI Vice President Dr. Joseph Perpich

Player Features