David Rueda Title Assistant Professor Division Physical (Biochemistry) Education Dipl. Chem. Eng., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Lausanne), 1997 Dr. Sc., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Lausanne), 2001 Swiss National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan, 2001-2002 Research Fellow, University of Michigan, 2002-2005 Office Chem 63 Phone (313)577-6918 E-Mail Group http://chem.wayne.edu/ruedagroup

In nature, RNA plays key enzymatic roles in numerous cellular processes such as gene expression, splicing and translation. The versatile functionalities of RNA are beginning to be exploited as basis for novel reverse genetics, therapeutic agents, biosensors, building blocks in nanotechnology, etc. Frequently, RNA and proteins combine to enhance functionality; however, their individual roles are challenging to distinguish because the RNA and the protein components work synergistically.

In our lab, we investigate the correlation between structure, function and dynamics in RNA and protein-RNA complexes. For this purpose we use a combination of biochemical and biophysical techniques that help us improve our understanding of biologically important processes. In particular, we develop and apply cutting-edge techniques based on fluorescence and single molecule detection to describe, in terms of structural dynamics and thermodynamics, how these biological complexes function. Single molecule microscopy allows us to monitor, in real time, the structural changes that accompany biological function

Rueda D., Hsieh J., Day J.J., Fierke C. and Walter N.G. (2005) Leader conformation of a bound precursor tRNA at the B. subtilis RNase P Holoenzyme active site. Biochemistry 44:16130.

Rueda, D., Bokinsky, G., Rhodes, M. M., Babcock, H., Zhuang, X. and Walter, N. G. (2004) Single-Molecule Enzymology of RNA: Essential Functional Groups Impact Catalysis From a Distance, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101:10066.

Bokinsky, G., Rueda, D., Misra, V. K., Rhodes, M. M., Gordus, A., Babcock, H. P., Walter, N. G. and Zhuang, X. (2003) "Single-Molecule Transition-State Analysis of RNA Folding", Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 10:9302.

Rueda, D., Wick, K., McDowell, S. E. and Walter, N. G. (2003) Diffusely Bound Mg2+ Ions Slightly Reorient Stems I and II of the Hammerhead Ribozyme to Increase the Probability of Formation of the Catalytic Core, Biochemistry 42:9924.

Rueda, D., Boyarkin, O., Rizzo, T., Mukhopadhyay, I. and Perry, D. (2002) Torsion-Rotation Analysis of OH Stretch Overtone-Torsion Combination Bands in Methanol, J. Chem. Phys. 116:91.