RNAinspired

RNAinspired is a multidisciplinary research initiative that applies principles of RNA biology to the design and fabrication of novel molecular systems. The project originated in 2018 within the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Example, led by Dr. Jane Smith. Using computational tools from RNA folding and structure prediction, RNAinspired seeks to engineer RNA motifs that can act as programmable scaffolds for nanomaterials, biosensors, and therapeutic delivery vehicles.

Key contributions of RNAinspired include a library of stable RNA hairpins that can be assembled into larger structures by base‑pair interactions. These scaffolds allow precise spatial arrangement of functional groups, enabling the construction of metallic and polymeric nanostructures with sub‑nanometer accuracy. The initiative also explores RNA‑templated synthesis of nanoparticles, where RNA acts as a nucleation center for metal ion reduction, producing gold, silver, and platinum particles with controlled size and shape.

In addition to materials science, RNAinspired works on RNA‑based cellular signaling. By designing synthetic RNA regulators that respond to specific metabolites, the group has created programmable metabolic switches in yeast and mammalian cells. These tools have potential applications in metabolic engineering, disease diagnostics, and synthetic biology.

Collaborations with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Broad Institute have facilitated the development of open‑source software for automated RNA design. Funding for RNAinspired is sourced from national research agencies and private foundations, and the project maintains public databases of RNA designs and experimental data. The initiative continues to advance the interface between RNA biology and engineering, contributing to emerging technologies in nanomedicine and synthetic biology.