Featured Editorial

  1. Beyond The Gold Standard(s): Modernizing Oligonucleotide Synthesis 4/13/2026

    A few weeks ago, I had the chance to sit down with OPT Congress speaker Phil Baran, Richard Lerner Chair Professor, Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research. Baran was slated to (and did) present a keynote on the innovations shaping the next generation of oligo synthesis. Here, I share the biggest takeaways I had from our conversation, touching on how he sees the science of oligo chemistry and manufacturing advancing in the near and far future. 

  2. A Smarter Switch: Reprogramming CIP Systems With Nanobodies Unlocks New Control Over Cell Signaling 4/10/2026

    Engineered nanobodies reprogram CIP systems, enabling precise, reversible control of protein interactions, signaling pathways, and gene expression without redesigning core chemistry.

  3. Can Making mRNA More "Rigid" Unlock The Next Leap In RNA Medicines? 4/9/2026

    Can stabilizing mRNA structure unlock better performance? New strategies aim to “rigidify” mRNA, improving translation, stability, and manufacturability while reducing variability across conditions.

  4. Rethinking The Oligonucleotide Backbone: A New Approach To RNA Therapeutic Design 4/7/2026

    Backbone engineering reframes RNA design, enabling programmable charge, uptake, and delivery — transforming oligonucleotides from fixed structures into tunable, multifunctional therapeutic systems.

  5. The RNA Ties That Bind: 3 Takeaways From The OPT Congress 4/1/2026

    Here, I unpack three takeaways I had from the OPT Congress, each of which I’d argue are indicative of the interconnectedness across the genetic medicines field.

  6. AI Foundation Models For RNA Biology 3/31/2026

    AI foundation models are transforming RNA biology by learning sequence–structure–function relationships, enabling accurate predictions, scalable discovery, and deeper insight into RNA regulation and design.

  7. Rethinking ATMP Assurance When Sterility Timelines, Reality Misalign 3/27/2026

    The compendial 14-day sterility testing window exposes product and patient to numerous risks, but settling on a rapid alternative also presents its own set of challenges.

  8. Nanosystems And Rare Diseases: Opportunities And Limitations 3/27/2026

    Nanosystems offer unique capabilities, enabling researchers to design precise, versatile delivery systems that address key challenges in rare diseases.

  9. The Potency Chains Of Events For mRNA/LNP Therapeutics 3/25/2026

    Potency in mRNA/LNP therapies depends on two chains: manufacturing/cold chain integrity and complex in vivo delivery. Breakdowns at any step — from stability to translation — can limit efficacy and safety.

  10. How Informal FDA Feedback Is Quietly Driving RNA Capital Allocation 3/19/2026

    Subtle FDA signals — especially in pre-IND talks — are quietly shaping RNA investment. Early regulatory feedback on CMC and comparability now drives how investors assess risk and allocate capital.