Professor

Office: 212 Physical Sciences Laboratory Building
Phone: (419) 372-8663/2753
Email: leontis@bgsu.edu
Personal site: Visit

Biographical Facts
Joined the faculty in 1987
Ph.D., Yale University, New Haven (1986)
A.M., Harvard University (1980)
B.S., Ohio State University (1977)

Research Interests
Nucleic Acids (DNA and RNA) play diverse roles in living organisms. Not only do they encode genetic information but they actively participate in its readout from transcription to translation, including splicing, editing, and regulation at each stage. Single-stranded DNA and RNA molecules fold into complex 3-dimensional structures to carry out these roles. We are investigating the logic of the 3D architecture of these molecules using an integrated biophysical, biochemical, and bioinformatic approach. These complex structures are able to specifically bind other molecules, including potential drug molecules. Photosensitizers that can specifically bind DNA or RNA molecules have tremendous potential for overcoming present limitations of photodynamic therapy, by directing damage to molecules specific to the target cells. We are investigating the binding of potent photosensitizers to complex nucleic acids using biophysical and biochemical methods.  See also: Geometric Classification of Non-Canonical Basepairing.

Selected Publications
Lescoute, A., N. B. Leontis, et al. (2005). "Recurrent structural RNA motifs, Isostericity Matrices and sequence alignments." Nucleic Acids Res 33(8): 2395-409.

Razga, F., J. Koca, et al. (2005). "Hinge-like motions in RNA kink-turns: the role of the second a-minor motif and nominally unpaired bases." Biophys J 88(5): 3466-85.

Razga, F., N. Spackova, et al. (2004). "Ribosomal RNA kink-turn motif--a flexible molecular hinge." J Biomol Struct Dyn 22(2): 183-94.

Leontis, N. B. and E. Westhof (2003). "Analysis of RNA motifs." Curr Opin Struct Biol 13(3): 300-8.

Reblova, K., N. Spackova, et al. (2003). "Non-Watson-Crick basepairing and hydration in RNA motifs: molecular dynamics of 5S rRNA loop E." Biophys J 84(6): 3564-82.

Sponer, J., A. Mokdad, et al. (2003). "Unique tertiary and neighbor interactions determine conservation patterns of Cis Watson-Crick A/G base-pairs." J Mol Biol 330(5): 967-78.

Yang, H., F. Jossinet, et al. (2003). "Tools for the automatic identification and classification of RNA base pairs." Nucleic Acids Res 31(13): 3450-60.