RNA or ribonucleic acid is a versatile molecule that is being engineered here at UCSB in a bionanotechnology lab. This is an exciting and innovative field because scientists are engineering unique RNA nanorings in an attempt to better understand the nature of RNA, how it self assembles and folds. These novel molecules are of particular interest because the possibility of being used as a therapeutic gene silencer or as a drug delivery mechanism. DNA has been the molecule of choice historically because it is affordable and assessable. RNA is a more versatile molecule than DNA because it can form a diversity of shapes. After the RNA has been designed, modeled and copied it is necessary to confirm that the RNA is taking the expected shape. The RNA is run through a gel electrophoresis to confirm the abundance and distribution of the different RNA dimers. Then the sample is imaged with an Atomic Force Microscope. The AFM runs on a tapping mode that allows scientists to see the shape of the molecule without damaging the molecule. The nanorings are only 15 min diameter compared to a hair that is 100,000 nm wide.