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         RNA pseudoknots are RNA structures with diverse functions [1], usually formed by the interaction of the loop of an RNA stem-loop with nucleotides downstream of the stem. These are referred to as H-type pseudoknots. Alternatively, two RNA stem-loops can interact via their loops, a type of pseudoknot known as kissing stem-loops. Among their diverse functions, certain pseudoknots can induce ribosome pausing during translation. In viral mRNA molecules, this mechanism is often combined with a heptanucleotide sequence upstream of the pseudoknot to induce a translation frameshift, which is necessary for the proper expression of certain viral ORFs [2].

         RNA pseudoknots are RNA structures with diverse functions [1], usually formed by the interaction of the loop of an RNA stem-loop with nucleotides downstream of the stem. These are referred to as H-type pseudoknots. Alternatively, two RNA stem-loops can interact via their loops, a type of pseudoknot known as kissing stem-loops. Among their diverse functions, certain pseudoknots can induce ribosome pausing during translation. In viral mRNA molecules, this mechanism is often combined with a heptanucleotide sequence upstream of the pseudoknot to induce a translation frameshift, which is necessary for the proper expression of certain viral ORFs [2].

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For our project, we decided to exploit the ribosome-pausing capabilities of viral RNA pseudoknots to delay the translation of genes transcribed in a polycistronic mRNA molecule. To achieve this, we placed the pseudoknots in between genes rather than within the ORFs of our composite parts.

For our project, we decided to exploit the ribosome-pausing capabilities of viral RNA pseudoknots to delay the translation of genes transcribed in a polycistronic mRNA molecule. To achieve this, we placed the pseudoknots in between genes rather than within the ORFs of our composite parts.