Biophysical studies of bacterial ribosome assembly

The assembly of the bacterial ribosome involves the association of over 50 proteins to 3 large RNA molecules, and it represents a major metabolic activity for rapidly growing bacteria. The availability of atomic structures of the ribosome and the application of biochemical and biophysical methods have led to rapid progress in understanding the mechanistic details of ribosome assembly. The basic steps required to assemble a ribosome are outlined, and the contributions of mass spectrometry, computational methods, and RNA-folding studies in understanding these steps are detailed. This complex process takes place with both sequential and parallel processing that is coordinated to ensure efficient and complete assembly of ribosomes to meet the demands of cell growth.