= Neocles B. Leontis
{c}
= Neocles Leontis
{c}
{synonym}
= N. B. Leontis
{c}
{synonym}
\b[Neocles B. Leontis] studied <RNA> structure and molecular recognition at Bowling Green State University. His institutional profile identifies him as a chemistry professor and biology adjunct working on nucleic acids.<Neocles Leontis lifetime-achievement profile at BGSU>[Research description and professional affiliation]{ref}
With <E. Westhof>, Leontis proposed a systematic classification of <RNA base-pair geometry> using three possible interacting <RNA base-pair edges> and two relative glycosidic-bond orientations.<Geometric nomenclature and classification of RNA base pairs by N. B. Leontis and E. Westhof>[Abstract]{ref}
A small counting argument explains the12basic families. Write $W,H,S$ for the Watson–Crick, Hoogsteen and Sugar edges. Treating interchange of the two bases as the same edge-family gives
$$
(W,W),\ (W,H),\ (W,S),\ (H,H),\ (H,S),\ (S,S).
$$
There are6unordered choices with repetition. Each can have cis or trans relative glycosidic-bond orientation, giving $6\times2=12$. This counts geometric families, not nucleotide sequences or the number of hydrogen bonds in every individual interaction.
The classification provides a way to annotate <noncanonical base pairs> and compare structural motifs. The2001 paper also explains how geometric families can reveal <RNA base-pair isostericity>, connecting observed structures to plausible substitutions in related sequences.<Geometric nomenclature and classification of RNA base pairs by N. B. Leontis and E. Westhof>[Abstract, automated annotation and isosteric relationships]{ref}
\Image[https://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/news/2012/leontis.jpg]
{title=Neocles Leontis}
{id=image-neocles-leontis-bgsu}
{description=Externally hosted photograph supplied with Bowling Green State University's named research profile.}
{width=250}
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