Class of 2003
rfom@jhu.edu | B.S. Biochemistry, Boston College
Research
Decoding is the act in which the correct ternary complex of aminoacyl-tRNA, EF-Tu, and GTP finds its matching mRNA codon in the A site of the ribosome during translation. Accurate decoding on the ribosome depends on kinetic differences between correct and incorrect tRNAs. Recent biochemical studies on a unique tRNATrp mutant with increased miscoding activity have shown that the tRNA body itself plays an important role in establishing the differences in acceptance rates that lead to accurate decoding. However, a structural understanding of these kinetic effects remains poorly understood. My work in the Green Lab deals with the discovery of new variant miscoding tRNA's. We have employed an in vitro selection scheme to identify tRNA mutants with miscoding phenotypes. Further study of these mutants will give us a greater insight into tRNA's role in decoding.
Publications
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