Federal Project Grant Summary

The Pennsylvania State University received a $120,000 project grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), CFDA 10.310, awarded May 1, 2026, with completion anticipated by April 30, 2028. The project addresses the AFRI priority area of Plant Health and Production and Plant Products by advancing understanding of twister ribozymes—small RNA enzymes that self-cleave their sugar-phosphate backbone—and their role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Preliminary data indicate these ribozymes decrease protein expression, suggesting potential applications as a novel genetic manipulation tool.

The research deliverables include enhanced knowledge of twister ribozyme behavior in vivo and development of new methodologies to control genetic outcomes in plants. By characterizing the regulatory mechanisms and functional properties of these RNA enzymes, the project will contribute to improved plant gene regulation understanding and provide researchers with innovative tools for manipulating genetic expression, ultimately supporting agricultural productivity and crop development objectives aligned with AFRI's mission to advance agricultural sciences and food production.