Overview of Methods in RNA Nanotechnology - Synthesis, Purification and Characterization of RNA Nanoparticles -- Multiple Approaches for the Investigation of Bacterial Small Regulatory RNAs Self-Assembly -- Measuring the Elasticity of Ribonucleotide(s)-Containing DNA Molecules Using AFM -- Silver Nano clusters for RNA Nano technology: Steps Towards Visualization and Tracking of RNA Nanoparticle Assemblies -- Purification of RNA Nanoparticles by Ultracentrifugation -- HPLC Purification of RNA Aptamers up to 59 Nucleotides with Single Nucleotide Resolution -- RNA Nanoparticles with Thermostable Motifs and Fluorogenic Modules for Real-Time Detection of RNA Folding and Turnover In Vivo -- Fluorescence Labeling of Short RNA by Oxidation at the 3'-End -- Methods and Assays for Specific Targeting and Delivery of RNA Nanoparticles to Cancer Metastases -- Functional Assays for Specific Targeting and Delivery of RNA Nanoparticles to Brain Tumor -- Aptamer-Mediated Nanoparticle Interactions: From Oligonucleotide-Protein Complexes to SELEX Screens -- Methods for Assembling B-Cell Lymphoma Specific and Internalizing Aptamer-siRNA Nanoparticles Via the Sticky Bridge -- A High Throughput Screening Assay for the Functional Delivery of Splice-Switching Oligonucleotides in Human Melanoma Cells -- Design, Assembly, and Evaluation of RNA-Protein Nanostructures -- Mapping RNA Interactions to Proteins in Virions Using CLIP-Seq -- Mapping Protein-RNA Interactions by RCAP, RNA-Crosslinking and Peptide Fingerprinting.

This volume contains a compilation of techniques and laboratory protocols directly related to RNA nanotechnology and its applications in nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine.  The chapters in this book cover a wide range of research methods that can be easily comprehended and carried out in a step-by-step manner by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from diverse scientific disciplines. Some of the covered topics include various biochemical, biophysical and bioinformatics approaches for analyzing RNA structures and properties; methods to analyze the multi-step assembly process of RNA nanoarchitectures; purification of multifunctional RNA nanoparticles by ultracentrifugation and HPLC; real-time detection of RNA nanoconstructs in vivo; conjugation of imaging, targeting and therapeutic modules to RNA scaffold; and design and characterization of RNA-protein nanostructures. Written in the highly successful Methods of Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubles troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and practical, RNA Nanotechnology and Therapeutics: Methods and Protocols propels the field toward new heights by engaging researchers working in the diverse fields of physical, engineering, and life sciences.