Mentors
Project Description
Therapeutic RNA delivery has applications in protein replacement, vaccine development, genetic engineering, and even the creation of fundamental research tools and cell lines.
In this project, the student will start with a therapeutic target of interest encoded within a DNA plasmid and perform all steps necessary to successfully create RNA, transfect the developed product into a cell line, and finally analyze both the transfection efficiency and resulting protein expression. By moving a RNA design from concept to reality, the student will create a foundation for future experiments that analyze the translational capabilities of the delivered therapeutic.
Research Goals
- Create RNA from a DNA template using in-vitro transcription (IVT).
- Transfect the RNA into cells and confirm successful transfection.
- Analyze the resulting level of protein expression.
Learning Goals
- Gain experience reading and interpreting scientific literature.
- Learn cell culture.
- Learn how to design a plasmid (DNA) with all necessary components to encode a sequence for a desired RNA output.
- Learn in-vitro transcription (IVT).
- Learn lipid nanoparticle (LNP) synthesis.
- Learn how to transfect RNA into cells and determine successful transfection/protein expression.
Timeline
Weeks 1-3: Literature/general concepts review, learn cell culture.
Weeks 4-6: Learn IVT, LNP synthesis.
Weeks 7-9: Transfection, confirm successful protein production/expression.
Week 10: Poster preparation.
