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Key research themes
1. How can artificial and engineered nano-RNases achieve selective and efficient RNA cleavage for therapeutic applications?
This theme encompasses the design, chemical synthesis, and functional optimization of artificial ribonucleases (aRNases) and engineered enzymes aimed at cleaving RNA sequences with high selectivity and catalytic efficiency. It is critical for developing novel RNA-targeting therapeutics that operate independently of endogenous enzymatic machinery and overcome limitations in current RNA-silencing technologies.
Key finding: This work reviews the development of site-selective artificial ribonucleases (ss-aRNases) that combine oligonucleotide recognition domains with catalytic groups (both metal-dependent and metal-free), achieving RNA cleavage... Read more
Key finding: By genetically incorporating a metal-chelating unnatural amino acid (BpyAla) into the viral p19 protein, this study engineered an unnatural endonuclease that site-specifically cleaves small non-coding RNAs (siRNAs and... Read more
Key finding: This study demonstrates that 2-nm gold nanoparticles functionalized with triazacyclonanone-Zn(II) complexes act as efficient nanozymes for phosphate bond cleavage. It elucidates dual catalytic mechanisms involving two Zn(II)... Read more
Key finding: This work presents engineered bimolecular RNase P ribozymes with improved catalytic efficiency and orthogonal assembly achieved through chimeric heterologous domain recombination. It exemplifies modular RNA enzyme design... Read more
2. What structural and chemical properties of RNA nanostructures optimize their design, stability, and immunocompatibility for RNAi delivery?
Research within this theme investigates the structural versatility, modularity, thermodynamic and mechanical stability of RNA nanoparticles, as well as their immune system interactions. Such properties critically influence the functionality, delivery efficiency, and safety profile of RNA-based therapeutics, particularly siRNA and RNAi agents delivered via RNA nanoscaffolds.
Key finding: The study designed fibrous RNA nanoassemblies with HIV-like kissing loop interactions, demonstrating that these RNA fibers support controlled stoichiometric delivery of multiple siRNAs while significantly reducing immune... Read more
Key finding: This work reports nanoscale RNA constructs (tecto-RNAs, nanorings, nanocubes) designed via computational and experimental RNA architectonics, enabling multifunctional therapeutic platforms for simultaneous delivery of diverse... Read more
Key finding: This research introduces a coaxial electrospraying method to fabricate polyethyleneimine (PEI) nanoparticles that encapsulate antisense oligonucleotides with surface functionalization by muscle-specific RNA aptamers. It... Read more
Key finding: This review classifies RNA-based nanotechnologies emphasizing lipid- and polymer-based nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery. It discusses physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, tunable stability, and payload... Read more
3. How can nanopore direct RNA sequencing advance the detection, characterization, and therapeutic targeting of native RNA molecules at single-molecule resolution?
This emerging research area explores nanopore sequencing technology enabling direct sequencing of native RNA molecules, capturing full-length transcripts along with modifications and polyadenylation. Improving basecall accuracy, read length representation, and throughput is essential for applications in gene expression profiling and RNA-based therapeutic development.
Key finding: This commentary details state-of-the-art nanopore direct RNA sequencing (DRS) capabilities, highlighting improved yields (up to millions of reads per flow cell) and median accuracies approaching 90-91%. It identifies key... Read more
Key finding: The study engineered a split-Spinach RNA aptamer reporter integrated into a multi-stranded RNA nanoring structure, enabling fluorescent monitoring of nanoparticle assembly involving six contiguous RNA strands. This system... Read more