@article {2327,
	title = {Engineered RNA biosensors enable ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection in a simple color and luminescence assay.},
	journal = {Life Sci Alliance},
	volume = {4},
	year = {2021},
	month = {2021 12},
	abstract = {<p>The continued resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic with multiple variants underlines the need for diagnostics that are adaptable to the virus. We have developed toehold RNA-based sensors across the SARS-CoV-2 genome for direct and ultrasensitive detection of the virus and its prominent variants. Here, isothermal amplification of a fragment of SARS-CoV-2 RNA coupled with activation of our biosensors leads to a conformational switch in the sensor. This leads to translation of a reporter protein, for example, LacZ or nano-lantern that is easily detected using color/luminescence. By optimizing RNA amplification and biosensor design, we have generated a highly sensitive diagnostic assay that is capable of detecting as low as 100 copies of viral RNA with development of bright color. This is easily visualized by the human eye and quantifiable using spectrophotometry. Finally, this PHAsed NASBA-Translation Optical Method (PHANTOM) using our engineered RNA biosensors efficiently detects viral RNA in patient samples. This work presents a powerful and universally accessible strategy for detecting COVID-19 and variants. This strategy is adaptable to further viral evolution and brings RNA bioengineering center-stage.</p>
},
	keywords = {Biosensing Techniques, COVID-19, Humans, Luminescence, Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques, RNA, RNA, Viral, SARS-CoV-2},
	issn = {2575-1077},
	doi = {10.26508/lsa.202101213},
	author = {Chakravarthy, Anirudh and Nandakumar, Anirudh and George, Geen and Ranganathan, Shyamsundar and Umashankar, Suchitta and Shettigar, Nishan and Palakodeti, Dasaradhi and Gulyani, Akash and Ramesh, Arati}
}
@article {1598,
	title = {FMRP Interacts with C/D Box snoRNA in the Nucleus and Regulates Ribosomal RNA Methylation.},
	journal = {iScience},
	volume = {9},
	year = {2018},
	month = {2018 Nov 30},
	pages = {399-411},
	abstract = {<p>FMRP is an RNA-binding protein that is known to localize in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. Here, we have identified an interaction of FMRP with a specific set of C/D box snoRNAs in the nucleus. C/D box snoRNAs guide 2{\textquoteright}O methylations of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) on defined sites, and this modification regulates rRNA folding and assembly of ribosomes. 2{\textquoteright}O methylation of rRNA is partial on several sites in human embryonic stem cells, which results in ribosomes with differential methylation patterns. FMRP-snoRNA interaction affects rRNA methylation on several of these sites, and in the absence of FMRP, differential methylation pattern of rRNA is significantly altered. We found that FMRP recognizes ribosomes carrying specific methylation patterns on rRNA and the recognition of methylation pattern by FMRP may potentially determine the translation status of its target mRNAs. Thus, FMRP integrates its function in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm.</p>
},
	issn = {2589-0042},
	doi = {10.1016/j.isci.2018.11.007},
	author = {D{\textquoteright}Souza, Michelle Ninochka and Gowda, Naveen Kumar Chandappa and Tiwari, Vishal and Babu, Rosana Ottakandathil and Anand, Praveen and Dastidar, Sudhriti Ghosh and Singh, Randhir and James, Owen G and Selvaraj, Bhuvaneish and Pal, Rakhi and Ramesh, Arati and Chattarji, Sumantra and Chandran, Siddharthan and Gulyani, Akash and Palakodeti, Dasaradhi and Muddashetty, Ravi S}
}
