Simulation of the structure and dynamics of nonhelical RNA motifs

Computer simulation methods are increasingly being used to study possible c onformations and dynamics of structural motifs in RNA. Recent results of mo lecular dynamics simulations and continuum solvent studies of RNA structure s and RNA-ligand complexes show promising agreement with experimental data. Combined with the ongoing progress in the experimental characterization of RNA structure and thermodynamics, these computational approaches can help to better understand the mechanism of RNA structure formation and the bindi ng of ligands.