Research in the Bevilacqua Lab is centered on understanding the function of systems involving ribonucleic acids (RNA) at the molecular level. RNA is a fascinating molecule because, unlike DNA or proteins, it has both genetic and functional capabilities. This has led to the notion that RNA was particularly important in the emergence of life on Earth. RNA is also of interest because it is involved in a wide range of important biological pathways, and can be used as both a biological target and a chemical tool. We work on model systems (oligonucleotide studies), larger catalytic RNA (ribozyme folding and chemistry), as well as the interaction of RNA with proteins (RNA-protein interactions). We use experimental approaches that range from physical chemistry to biochemistry and molecular biology.
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