RNA synthetic biology

We pioneered transcription-independent genetic control in mammalian cells, developing RNA-only logic circuits using RNA-binding proteins, miRNA-tuned elements, and self-amplifying RNA replicons that function in vivo without genomic integration. These advances—from model-driven replicon design and CRISPR- or small-molecule-regulated RNA circuits to clinically validated saRNA therapies—culminated in programmable RNA medicines such as STX-001, which has shown favorable safety and antitumor activity in Phase I trials.