Research Projects

Cell proliferation, the rapid multiplication of unwanted cells, can lead to cancerous cells or harmful bacteria colonization. Researchers worldwide are working to control cell proliferation through the regulation of the ribosome, a complex macromolecule that synthesizes proteins essential for maintaining and multiplying biological cells. Ribosomes consist of two subunits, ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and ribosomal proteins (rproteins). Ribosome biogenesis requires several enzymatic factors, including ATP-dependent RNA helicases and GTPases from the TRAFAC class. RA-GTPases implicated in ribosome biogenesis are known to be involved in the maturation of different ribosomal subunits. However, it is unclear how these GTPases function at the molecular level. Researchers have explored these RA-GTPases through genetic and biochemical experimental studies, but these studies have limited spatial and temporal scale information. Simulation studies are needed to understand the behavior of RA-GTPases and their interactions with ribosome constituents at the molecular level. In recent years, researchers have started exploring these RA-GTPases using computational tools and published important observations related to EngA and RbgA GTPases. The study aims to investigate RA-GTPases conformations and interactions with ribosomal constituents for different species using the necessary simulation setup.