Authors

Abigail Ruddick

Senior Project Advisor

Suzanne Lee

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2023

Keywords

RNA, ciliate, Piwi genes

Abstract

The world of RNA is vast and multifaceted. Messenger RNA is the most well understood of these molecules, however it is far from the only one. New classes of RNAs are of much interest to researchers due to both the functions that they play in organisms and the possibility of using them as research tools. Under the umbrella of RNA fall RNAs that are involved in RNA interference (RNAi) pathways. These RNAs are numerous, and some have already been shown to be deeply important to proper organismal function. A previously established ~23-24 nucleotide small RNA pathway in Tetrahymena thermophila has been recently linked to genome integrity (Lee et al., 2021). However, the full extent of the role this pathway plays is not yet known. In addition, the specific roles of different parts of the pathway are still not fully understood. With this information laid out, I attempt to synthesize the known information about this pathway and lay out methods used to investigate the connection to genome stability.

Department

Biology

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

RNA; Ciliata; Piwi genes; Nucleotide sequence

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Available for download on Monday, June 01, 2026

Included in

Biology Commons

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