Genome-Wide Analysis of RiboSNitches in Human Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs)Hohenwarter, Gabriela RNAriboSNitcheslong non-coding RNAscomputationalChemistryB SSome long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to contain structures that are important for function. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have the potential to alter these structures, thereby impacting their overall function. A genome-wide analysis was conducted to identify regions with SNPs depleted in riboSNitches and significantly stable structure. By focusing on these parameters, this thesis aimed to uncover putative functionally relevant regions within human lncRNAs that may be under selective pressure. Structurally altering SNPs, referred to as riboSNitches, were predicted in annotated human lncRNAs from Ensembl. The stability of these regions was assessed using ScanFold 2.0, which calculates minimum free energies (MFEs) and thermodynamic Z-scores. This thesis helps fill a gap in understanding the potential structure-function relationship in lncRNAs and may inform future studies. Philip C Bevilacqua, Thesis SupervisorDavid D Boehr, Thesis Honors AdvisorEdward Patrick O'Brien, Jr., Faculty Readerrestricted_to_institution2025-04-01T03:15:25Zhttps://honors.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/9659grh5241