Anticipated Outcomes
- A notation for RNA
We will develop a notation system that permits RNA molecules and processes to be described in a universal format, comparable between different species and organisms, and that is also compatible with a mathematical description. - Enhanced mechanistic understanding
Quantitative analyses will allow us to better understand the relationships between different steps, activities and factors in the pathway than has been achieved by qualitative analyses and intuitive interpretations. This will lead to fresh insights into, for example, the key steps at which regulation would most likely be exerted, and should lead to testable hypotheses, which would be addressed experimentally. - Enhanced insight into integration across systems
A comparison of the pre-mRNA and pre-rRNA models will enrich our understanding of each pathway, providing further insights. This should illuminate equivalent pathways in human cells which are less amenable to direct experimentation, opening new avenues for understanding human genetic disorders.