Modified RNA tools and diagnostics for drug abuse

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Project Summary/Abstract RNA modifications are numerous, and range from simple methylation to complex changes such as addition of aminoacylcarbamoyl moieties. These modifications and, the levels at which are present, are emerging as important regulators of biological processes, and perturbations such as chemical or drug exposure can alter the patterns of specific modifications on RNA sub-types. Moreover, given their variety, specificity and their relationship to functionand structure stability, RNA modifications are potentially valuable biomarkers of disease and treatment progression, especially given that modified nucleosides are relatively stable even after RNA degradation, and can be released from cells into bodily fluids. The long term objective of this study is to facilitae research into RNA modifications and their impact on health and disease. The immediate hurdle, and the goal of this application, is to develop extremely sensitive analytical methods for detect