The Varkud satellite Ribozyme

Today I attended a ASU Biochemistry Department's seminar series. The talk was entitled "How do Ribozymes work?" and presented by Professor David M.J. Lilley, University of Dundee. Lilley discussed the basics of ribozymes in regards to their defficient catalytic properties and the possibility of Ribozymes as a early life precursor molecule. Lilley et al are interested in the structure of DNA junctions important in recombination and repair, and their interactions with proteins and branched structures in RNA molecules, especially those playing a role in the folding of catalytic RNA molecules, or ribozymes. His latest works has been in determinig the structure and function of the the Varkud satellite (VS) ribozyme.

To be honest, a lot of the biochemistry and techniques involved went slightly over my head. however, it was an interesting topic and definately opened my eyes to the chicken and question.

For more information on Lilley's work and ribozymes in general you can visit Lilley's website here