Articles tagged with Rna
MIT researchers developed a new technique to produce lipid nanoparticles with precise control over size and shape, accelerating the development of RNA and DNA therapeutics. The automated system can produce particles of varying sizes and shapes, enabling targeted delivery to specific organs and tissues.
Researchers at MIT have found a way to stabilize lipid nanoparticles used to deliver RNA vaccines, making them more heat-resistant. This breakthrough could allow for wider distribution and enable novel administration methods like microneedle patches.
A new RNA therapy promotes thermogenesis, turning white fat into beige fat that burns energy, and preserves lean muscle mass when combined with GLP-1s. This treatment improves glucose tolerance and other measures of metabolic health, offering a potential solution to the loss of muscle mass associated with GLP-1 weight loss.
Researchers at MIT have developed a noninvasive way to detect biomarkers of senescence, a state of cells that stop dividing but do not die, using Raman microscopy and gene expression data. This method could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of age-related disorders.
A new AI-powered test, IICM+, has been developed to predict breast cancer recurrence risk more accurately than the widely used 21-gene Recurrence Score. IICM+ uses clinical, molecular, and histopathology data to provide reliable prognostic information, distinguishing between patients at different risks of recurrence.
Researchers identified two opposing patterns of brain gene activity in mice carrying autism-risk mutations, which vary by sex and respond differently to experimental drugs. The patterns, which are shared across multiple analyses, suggest that many different genetic mutations converge into a limited number of molecular brain states.
UCF researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery on immune cells, focusing on transfer RNA (tRNA) as a pathway to treatments for cancers, infections, and autoimmune disorders. By modifying tRNA in T cells, the team aims to fine-tune immune responses to multiple diseases.
A comprehensive review maps the RNA regulatory landscape in plants, detailing the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of diverse plant RNAs. The review highlights the latest research breakthroughs in hot areas such as non-coding RNAs, RNA epigenetic regulation, and RNA chemical modifications.
Researchers found that m6A, a small chemical modification on RNA, acts as a molecular delivery tag to transport specific RNAs to distant regions of neurons. The study provides a basis for investigating RNA delivery errors in brain disorders and may inform the development of new therapeutic strategies.
A global virus atlas has been created by mapping RNA viruses in 102 cities worldwide, identifying nearly 55,000 different types, 80% of which were unknown to science. This data can be used for biological risk assessment, crime scene investigations, and environmental monitoring, providing a unique viral fingerprint for each location.
Scientists have discovered chimeric mRNAs that produce previously unknown proteins, expanding the human genome and proteome. These proteins may play important roles in various bodily systems and contribute to disease processes, offering new insights into challenging diseases and potential drug targets.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich developed Synthetic Transfer Vehicles (STVs), an entirely new class of RNA transporters. STV-C8 is the most efficient candidate, transporting RNA far more efficiently than traditional lipid nanoparticles. In animal models, STV-C8 demonstrates effective delivery and expression of RNA in a living organism.
UCSB professor Max Wilson's team aims to develop a system that can synthesize DNA or RNA without chemical input, enabling faster and more efficient protein design. The project involves engineering a strain of yeast to produce light-activated polymerase enzymes responsive to specific wavelengths of light.
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have developed a search engine, Malva, to analyze single-cell RNA data, enabling rapid analysis of millions of cells worldwide. Malva simplifies the task of wading through data from thousands of experiments and provides insights into RNA biology, cancer, and disease mechanisms.
A new precision oncology paper critiques the methodology used in a 2025 study on mRNA vaccine residual DNA, arguing that it systematically underestimates DNA impurities. The analysis highlights key methodological flaws, including primer design, sample preparation, and analytical platform limitations.
Researchers have developed an mRNA immunotherapy that eliminates pancreatic tumors in mice, achieving complete tumor responses and long-term disease-free periods. The treatment uses a cocktail of immune cytokine and tumor-associated antigen mRNAs, showing promise as a potential transformative treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Researchers have discovered compact viral RNA elements that can stabilize mRNA, increasing protein production. These elements, called tailons, work by extending the poly(A) tail of mRNA, slowing its degradation. This breakthrough offers a simple way to develop longer-lasting and more efficient mRNA technologies for various applications.
A new study reveals that the brain plays a crucial role in protecting fertility during heat stress by sending signals to reproductive cells. Researchers discovered an unexpected communication system between the brain and germline cells, showing how animals adjust reproduction when conditions become unfavorable.
Researchers discovered a structural aberration in octopus ribosomes that enhances accuracy and reduces errors in protein synthesis. This finding may be linked to the evolution of the octopus's complex sensory system, which includes a highly sensitive 'taste by touch' system.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School have developed a microRNA-based gene therapy that suppresses mutant SOD1 production, delaying disease onset by 60 days and extending lifespan by 100 days in mice models of ALS. The therapy, delivered via adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, preserves motor neurons and maintains neuromuscular con...
NIRBA Hub fosters interdisciplinary collaboration & accelerates innovation in RNA science. The hub supports talent development, technology innovation & industry engagement.
Researchers at Kyoto University discovered an RNA aptamer, 1R6, that targets the disordered regions of alpha-synuclein protein, inhibiting its aggregation and promoting disassembly of pre-existing aggregates. This finding offers a new therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease.
Scientists engineered an enzyme that selectively recognizes and repairs broken RNA, suggesting that molecular tools needed to preserve the RNA-based genetic code could be furnished by RNA alone. This discovery has implications for understanding the origins of life and developing new biotechnology applications.
Researchers have developed a new CRISPR-based method to control protein production in cells by targeting ribosomal RNA. This method, known as TAPIR, has been shown to increase protein synthesis and promote the growth of cancer cells. The results offer new insights into stem cell biology and disease-relevant processes.
A new study maps the changing RNA modification landscape of sperm during development and shows that type II diabetes can disrupt this molecular program. The findings suggest that paternal metabolic disease can impact male fertility and potentially offspring health.
A new gene circuit technology has enabled cells to autonomously generate programmed responses, processing multiple molecular signals at once. The RATEX platform allows cells to compute and respond to various types of molecular information.
A new AI model, SpliceSelectNet, accurately predicts RNA splicing by capturing long-range DNA signals. The model's hierarchical Transformer architecture preserves high computational efficiency while maintaining single-nucleotide resolution, enabling accurate analysis of genomic regions.
Scripps Research scientists captured high-resolution structural images of human Argonaute 2 in its cutting-ready state, identifying precise atomic interactions that determine when and where the machinery cuts. The structures reveal key amino acids driving the cutting reaction, including Lysine709 and Arginine710.
Scientists from the University of Osaka have identified a previously unknown molecular mechanism linking mitochondrial morphology to innate immune activation. Abnormally long mitochondria can trigger the release of mitochondrial RNA into the cytosol, activating RNA-sensing proteins and leading to anti-tumor immunity.
Researchers at University of California San Diego have developed a large-scale screening approach that identifies proteins controlling alternative polyadenylation (APA), a fundamental step in gene expression. The study reveals 63 high-confidence activators of poly(A) site usage, including seven new regulators previously unknown.
A team of Rice University researchers has developed an RNA-based barcoding system to track gene transfer between bacteria and bacteriophages. The approach reveals previously unknown bacterial hosts for the bacteriophage P1 and shows how subtle changes in viral structure influence host range, offering a powerful tool for next-generation...
Laura Gonzalez Garcia, a postdoctoral researcher at BTI's Nelson Lab, has been selected as a 2026 Pew Latin American Fellow to study RNA modifications. She aims to understand the functional role of dihydrouridine (DHU) modification and its potential as a biomarker for cancer and crop performance.
Researchers have uncovered the structural basis of Argonaute assembly, revealing that chaperone proteins hold it in an open conformation allowing miRNA loading. The study also found that RNA plays a key role in guiding Argonaute folding.
Researchers identified a promising new strategy for reversing autism-related brain deficits by targeting a specific glycine transporter. The therapy restored NMDA receptor function in mouse models and human brain organoids, improving behavioral abnormalities such as social interaction and repetitive behaviors.
A new study reveals that IS110 elements use two RNA-guided pathways to insert donor DNA into target sites, challenging the classical 'cut-out-paste-in' model. The researchers identified a figure-eight DNA intermediate in one pathway and a direct-transfer pathway without forming a conventional intermediate.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo have developed nanoparticles that deliver therapeutic RNA molecules directly to skin cells, silencing genes responsible for chronic inflammation. This precision nanomedicine approach holds promise for treating complex diseases like psoriasis and vitiligo.
Researchers have discovered a previously underappreciated mechanism that helps immune cells respond rapidly to infections by altering RNA splicing. This study provides new insights into immune-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and may lead to more targeted therapies.
Researchers used RNA therapy to target a genetic mutation causing heart failure, reducing protein aggregation and improving cellular abnormalities. The study provides insight into the biological mechanisms underlying treatment response and may accelerate the development of personalized treatments for genetic heart disease.
Researchers developed a technique that uses RNA origami to analyze sections of RNA, allowing for accurate sizing of repeat expansions in genetic disorders. The method shows promise for fast and affordable testing in clinical settings.
Researchers developed a new tool, RNAanalyzer 3, to analyze RNA structures and motifs. The tool uses large databases and combines structure and context to make accurate predictions, enabling researchers to study RNA's role in various biological processes.
Researchers developed an AI-driven framework, HELIX, to predict RNA splicing and isoform usage with high accuracy. The framework integrates genomic sequence features with tissue-specific RBP expression profiles and outperforms existing methods in predicting splicing strength and isoform usage.
Researchers developed a new method called sm-PORE-cupine to study individual RNA molecules and reveal how their structures influence gene regulation. The technology provides deeper insight into how RNA structure affects cellular function and could help identify new therapeutic targets for diseases such as viral infections.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a small RNA embedded within the V. cholerae gene as the key factor controlling its ability to infect humans. Variations in this RNA controlled about 85% of genes related to human infection, enabling the bacteria to evade immune barriers and colonize the gut.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo have identified four more members of Sir John Franklin's 1845 expedition using DNA samples extracted from skeletal remains. The new discoveries bring the total number of identified sailors to six, providing previously unavailable details about the circumstances and locations of their deaths.
Dr. Dilek Colak's journey began with a childhood observation of a boy with mental illness, which inspired her to pursue a career in neuroscience. Her current work focuses on understanding autism and schizophrenia through the study of human brain organoids.
Researchers suggest treatment could start during pregnancy to prevent brain damage and reduce neurological harm. A new RNA-based therapy reduces abnormal electrical currents in patient-derived excitatory neurons.
Researchers studying RNA pollution's impact on aging brains seek to develop therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Sanford Burnham Prebys scientist Anne Bang will use advanced robotics to test thousands of compounds.
Researchers at MIT discovered that gene circuits can reshape DNA folding and affect gene expression in human cells. The study found that rearranging genes along a DNA strand, or 'gene syntax,' can amplify or suppress the expression of neighboring genes.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize individual water molecules and metal ions within RNA polymerase II, revealing their active role in DNA transcription. The study provides a new understanding of how genetic information is read and expressed, challenging the traditional 'protein-centered' view.
Researchers have developed a new method to build programmable artificial organelles inside living cells using RNA, enabling customization of cellular compartments and tunable properties. This approach may lead to specialized biological functions for nanomedicine and gene engineering.
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected way cancer cells generate cancer-driving proteins by cutting RNA into shorter fragments. This process, termed as RNA dicing, enables the production of a truncated form of the JAK1 protein that remains highly active and can promote tumor growth.
A novel circular RNA replicon was identified in a high-temperature hot spring ecosystem, showing profound divergence from previously known circular RNAs. The discovery reveals diverse self-replicating RNAs exist even in extreme environments, broadening the ecological scope of RNA-based replication systems.
The researchers will investigate novel therapies to protect the aging brain from neurodegenerative diseases by eliminating RNA pollution. They will map out signatures of RNA pollution across over 200 cell lines and patient biofluids to understand its effects.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that mRNA vaccines can trigger strong anti-tumor responses even without certain immune cell subtypes, suggesting a novel pathway for cancer treatment. The study found that both cDC1 and cDC2 dendritic cells play a role in stimulating T-cell responses.
A team of scientists from NTU Singapore has developed a new biochip that, when paired with Artificial Intelligence (AI), can detect quickly and accurately extremely small amounts of microRNAs. The device can cut detection time from hours to 20 minutes.
A community-based point-of-care HCV RNA testing program was feasible and led to a high percentage of same-day treatment for American Indian and Alaska Native participants. The study supports expanding point-of-care HCV RNA testing and integrated treatment to advance HCV elimination.
A new analytical method allows scientists to track exactly where a cancer drug accumulates inside a living cell, enabling more precise treatment design. This breakthrough uses subcellular capillary sampling and laser ablation – Inductively coupled plasma – Mass spectrometry to detect trace amounts of metal in individual cells.
Researchers developed a nasal spray that reversibly reduces brain inflammation, restores cellular power plants, and improves memory. The treatment bypasses the brain's protective shield through intranasal delivery, suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting successful brain aging.
A study by IRB Barcelona researchers sheds light on the regulation of protein production in fatty liver cells, revealing a key role for CPEB4 in controlling gene expression. The findings provide new perspectives on the disease and its progression towards more severe forms.
Researchers found that an extra copy of chromosome 21 leads to increased levels of the ADARB1 enzyme, causing premature and excessive RNA editing in developing brain cells. This dysregulation affects how brain cells communicate and form circuits, potentially influencing neurological and behavioral outcomes in Down syndrome.