ARW ON RNA
The Cell-Free Revolution: Breaking The Plasmid DNA Bottleneck
I was excited to be given the opportunity to sit down with Jodi Barrientos, CEO, Ribbon Bio, to learn more about the current state of the synthetic DNA space. In the following Q&A, Barrientos and I discuss some of the synthetic DNA industry’s biggest goals and the challenges that stand in the way of bringing synthetic plasmids more commonly into the mRNA development paradigm.
OUR EXPERT NETWORK
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![NeurExone_coverphoto]( "From Exosomes To Nanodrugs: Advancing Therapeutic Delivery For CNS Repair")
From Exosomes To Nanodrugs: Advancing Therapeutic Delivery For CNS RepairExosomes are biological vesicles used for cellular communication that can overcome CNS barriers, delivering therapeutic cargo for CNS and optic nerve injuries.
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![GettyImages-1447956737]( "Why RNAi-Based Oncology Must Move Beyond Single-Target Thinking")
Why RNAi-Based Oncology Must Move Beyond Single-Target ThinkingRNAi therapeutics may help oncology move beyond single-target drugs by disrupting adaptive tumor survival networks driving resistance in solid tumors.
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![Green Business-GettyImages-2179499504]( "What Makes An RNA Platform Investable? Lessons From The Last Wave Of Biotech Financing")
What Makes An RNA Platform Investable? Lessons From The Last Wave Of Biotech FinancingRNA investing has shifted from hype to scalability, forcing companies to prove manufacturability, delivery strength, and platform-wide value.
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![new drugs by genome editing-GettyImages-1407089196]( "RNA Manufacturing Foundations: From DNA Templates To In Vitro Transcription (Pt. 1)")
RNA Manufacturing Foundations: From DNA Templates To In Vitro Transcription (Pt. 1)Cell-free RNA production is reshaping biomanufacturing through modular IVT workflows, advanced capping strategies, and scalable DNA template design.
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![Ribosome, biological cell constructing mRNA molecule-GettyImages-1352440366]( "Beyond Hairpins: A New Translational Repression Assay Expands RNA-Binding Protein Research")
Beyond Hairpins: A New Translational Repression Assay Expands RNA-Binding Protein ResearchResearchers expanded translational repression assays beyond RNA hairpins, enabling scalable study of linear RNA-protein interactions in living cells.
WEBINARS
MEET ARW
I’ve spent the past 10 years building relationships across the biologics and advanced therapies industry. In addition to hosting conversations and writing thought leadership articles, my goal as the editorial and community director for Advancing RNA is to find creative ways for the RNA (and broader ATMP) space to discuss, debate, and ultimately define a mature RNA therapeutics industry.
Start the conversation by following me on LinkedIn!
RNA HOT TAKES
- Sticks, Carrots, & Carolina Reapers: Fact-Checking The "Death" Of The US mRNA Industry
- mRNA Hot Takes: Ghost Peppers & Global R&D
- mRNA Hot Takes: Habaneros & Headwinds
- The Trough Of Disillusionment: 2026 RNA Reality Checks
- mRNA Hot Takes: Fighting Complacency And "Alternative Facts" In 2026
- mRNA Hot Takes: Building A Solid Foundation For Your RNA Company & Products
VIRTUAL EVENTS
- Advancements in gRNA Manufacturing & Quality
- Chemoenzymatic Ligation: A New Frontier In siRNA Manufacturing
- Advancements In Targeted LNP Therapy
- Unlocking The Future: Innovations In The mRNA And Oligo Supply Chains
- Process Development Considerations For Next-Gen RNA Therapeutics
- RNA Delivery Reimagined: Innovative Nonviral Strategies Beyond LNPs
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
- 05.27.26 -- Modernizing Oligonucleotide Synthesis
- 05.22.26 -- Scaling RNA & LNP Manufacturing With Smarter Analytics
- 05.13.26 -- Simplify The Journey Of Advancing Your Therapies To Patients
- 05.02.26 -- Advancing RNA Newsletter Best Of April
- 04.29.26 -- Inside Alnylam's Playbook For High Volume siRNA Production
- 04.22.26 -- How Informal FDA Feedback Is Driving RNA Capital Allocation