Jacob Carlson MinerPostdoctoral Research Associate CNLS/T-6 Atomistic molecular dynamics, structure prediction Office: TA-3, Bldg. 1690, Rm. 117 Mail Stop: B258 Phone: 505-667-3216 Fax: N/A jcminer@lanl.gov home page Research highlight- LANL News-Release
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) tetraloops are common structures that form from short segments of RNA polymers across all domains of life. Despite the commonality of these structures, and their importance to structural stability and catalytic efficacy in living systems, the effects of temperature, pressure, and cosolvents on the energy landscapes of RNA tetraloops are not well characterized.
Using advanced computational techniques, and by comparing with studies from experimental groups, we have described complex energy landscapes of a single RNA sequence based on these physical and chemical factors. An intriguing discovery was the emergence of metastable configurations suggested by experiments and never before observed in unbiased computational models. Our work demonstrates the applicability of current RNA modeling methodologies to characterize the equilibrium behaviors of basic biomolecules and has application to other RNA sequences, as well as systems with different biomolecules and varying chemical environments.
| | Educational Background/Employment:- B.S. (2008) Biology, Secondary Education, Linfield College, McMinnville, OR
- B.S. (2011) Chemistry, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR
- Ph.D. (2016) Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
- Employment:
- 2008-2009 Conversational English Teacher, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, PRC
- 2009-2011 Geneticist, Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, Department of the Interior, Ashland, OR
- 2011-2016 Graduate Research Associate, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
- 2015-2016 Graduate Research Associate, Center for Nonlinear Studies, LANL
- 2016- Postdoctoral Research Associate, Center for Nonlinear Studies / Theoretical Biology and Biophysics (T-6), LANL
- Professional Training:
- 2011-2013 LabVIEW Associate Developer
- 2014 Short-Term Consultant, Corning Inc., Corning, NY
- 2016- Rosetta Modeling Software Developer
Research Interests: - RNA structural modeling
- Solution dynamics of RNA/Proteins in the presence of cosolvents
- Origins of Life
Selected Recent Publications: - Jacob Miner on ResearchGate
- Jacob Miner on Google Scholar
- Miner, J.C., Garcia, A.E. Concentration-dependent and configuration-dependent interactions of monovalent ions with an RNA tetraloop, J. Chem. Phys. 148(22), 222837 (2018)
LA-UR-17-30875
- Miner, J.C., Garcia, A.E. Equilibrium denaturation and preferential interactions of an RNA tetraloop with urea, J. Phys. Chem. B. 121(15), 3734-3746 (2017)
LA-UR-16-28139
- Miner, J.C., Chen, A.A., Garcia, A.E. Free-energy landscape of a hyperstable RNA tetraloop, PNAS, U.S.A. 113(24) 6665-6670 (2016)
LA-UR-15-28937
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