rRNS

rRNS is an acronym used in different contexts within biology and related fields, and there is no single universally accepted definition. In practice, the term may refer to at least two broad concepts depending on the study, and readers should rely on the specific context and the authors’ definitions.

One common usage describes randomized ribonucleic sequences (rRNS). This refers to libraries of RNA sequences generated with randomized regions for high-throughput screening, such as in aptamer or ribozyme discovery. These randomized sequences are usually produced by random synthesis or mutagenesis of RNA templates and then subjected to selection and amplification (for example, SELEX workflows). rRNS libraries enable exploration of RNA structure–function relationships, but they come with challenges including sequence bias from library construction, uneven amplification, and analysis complexity when linking sequence to function.

A second usage designates ribosome-associated regulatory noncoding RNA (rRNS). In this sense, rRNS denotes small noncoding RNAs that interact with ribosomes or translation machinery to influence gene expression, typically by affecting initiation or translation elongation. Such RNAs have been reported in various organisms and are studied using approaches like RNA sequencing, ribosome profiling, and crosslinking-based methods to map interactions and effects on translation.

Because rRNS can have different meanings, researchers should define the term explicitly when first used and cite the primary sources for the chosen definition. See also rRNA, sRNA, aptamers, and SELEX as related concepts.