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"The main strength of this book is in its focus on RNA as a functional agent. RNA can be derivatized using a variety of biochemical technologies to incorporate therapeutic or imaging functionalities. This book spans different aspects of techniques that are necessary to obtain functional RNA nanoparticles, including computational design, synthesis of components, assembly of functional units, and their biochemical and biophysical characterization. It also discusses promises and challenges in the applications of RNA nanoparticles as therapeutics. ... This book is unique in that it covers a very broad spectrum of topics related to RNA nanotechnology, yet it maintains a focus on constructing and analyzing RNA nanoparticles. It introduces the reader to the basics of RNA structure, and discusses functions of various natural RNAs, from small molecules to large molecular machines such as the ribosome. It also introduces the concept of designing new RNAs, and provides a comprehensive coverage of modern techniques, linking theory and experiment. Technologies discussed include RNA structure prediction, prediction of interactions, simulations of RNA folding, computational design, chemical methods for RNA nanoparticle synthesis, assembly, and labeling, as well as methods for their biophysical and biochemical characterization and biomolecular imaging. ... Chapters 1, 4, 7 are very exciting. Chapter 1 is a condensed introduction to the topic of RNA nanotechnology and to challenges and opportunities in using the RNA molecules as therapeutic agents. It is quite obvious that Dr. Guo is an enthusiast of RNA nanotechnology and in fact, this enthusiasm is quite contagious. Chapters 4 and 7 provide more focused description of two issues: 1) naturally existing RNAs as molecular machines, with a very informative discussion of differences between molecular machines and macro-machines, using ribosome as an example and 2) the role of dynamics (as opposed to 3D structure alone) in RNA design. Both these chapters demonstrate the extraordinary interdisciplinary character of the field of RNA nanotechnology, as well asof this very book. I definitely want to have this book on my shelf, and I intend to read all chapters as soon as I get it!" --Prof. Janusz M. Bujnicki, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, and Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland "This book is very good in this field. I want to have this book on my shelf. ... This book has a broad coverage from principles and fundamentals of RNA nanotechnology, RNA nanotechnology design and construction to diagnostic and therapeutic application. These detailing descriptions provide a clear and complete picture of up-to-date knowledge of RNA nanotechnology and applications." --Prof. Shu-Feng Zhou, University of South Florida
