The secondary structure of RNA, which forms from intramolecular base pairing, consists of structural motifs such as bulges, hairpin loops, internal loops, etc. RNA bulges occur when one or more extra nucleotides are found on one strand of a double helical region. Dinucleotide bulges are prevalent secondary structure motifs and serve important roles in biological processes. The RNA Characterization of Secondary Structure Motifs (CoSSMos) database was used to identify dinucleotide bulges in previously solved 3D structures. Python scripts and Dissecting the Spatial Structure of RNA (DSSR) were used to annotate and compare these dinucleotide bulges. Dinucleotide bulge sequence families, different dinucleotide sequences that adopt similar 3D structures, and their structural features are reported here. These families and features can be used to improve the prediction of RNA 3D structure. 

Dr. Znosko has gone beyond his requirements in leading his students as a PI, allowing us to excel as researchers. I believe that I am the student I am today because of the impact that Dr. Znosko has had as a mentor. He has guided me in every step of my research process, and I am incredibly thankful.