By now, we are all familiar with the life-saving mRNA vaccines that protect us from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Although these were developed quickly, decades of research went into the design of the first mRNA vaccines. The first RNA-based drug, called nusinersen, for the treatment of muscular dystrophy—a neuromuscular disorder—was approved in 2016. Companies such as BioNTech and Moderna are now trying to apply the principles behind Nusinersen and the mRNA vaccines to treat a wide range of other conditions—including genetic diseases, cancer, and other infectious diseases.
Our group is working to apply the principles of RNA-based drugs to human fungal pathogens, which cause infections that are often overlooked but can be severe in immunocompromised patients. In the laboratory, we investigate the biology and biochemistry of human-pathogenic fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus, as well as the role of RNA in human cells during fungal infections. We hope that these studies will help us identify new drug targets and develop new therapies for these deadly pathogens, which claim the lives of more than 1.6 million people each year.
At this station, we’ll show you the general mechanism behind RNA-based drugs, tell you about some promising new directions, and even help you develop your own RNA drug to combat a harmful human pathogen!
