RNA design for dynamic gene expression control and precision medicine

RNA is a central regulator of cellular information flow, acting not just as a messenger but also an active controller of gene expression. Advances in RNA biology now enable the design of programmable, dynamic RNA molecules with applications in therapeutics and biomanufacturing.

Cis-regulatory RNA elements, including ribozymes and structural motifs in the 3′ UTR, modulate transcript stability and protein output. To achieve precise control of gene expression, we combined massively parallel reporter assays with machine learning, including RNA language models, to map sequence–function relationships and engineer synthetic regulatory RNAs with expanded dynamic range.

We further target pathogenic RNAs by identifying essential regulatory elements in SARS-CoV-2 and designing antisense oligonucleotides and aptamers that disrupt viral replication. Finally, we develop RNA editing approaches to correct disease-causing mutations at the transcript level, offering a reversible alternative to genome editing.

Together, this work establishes RNA as a powerful platform for gene regulation and therapeutic development.

Bio: Dr. Joy Xiang is an assistant professor in the Division of Biomedical Sciences at the UCR School of Medicine. Her lab develops RNA-based and RNA-targeting approaches for synthetic biology and therapeutics. This work includes uncovering hidden regulatory features of RNA viruses to identify new drug targets and harnessing their untapped potential as synthetic regulatory elements.