Mirror-image RNA-binding reagents to study and modulate RNA in the lab
Official title: Mirror Image Aptamers: Next Generation RNA-Binding Reagents for Basic Research and Therapeutic Applications
Funded at Texas A&m University · NIH-11530273 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist-led project to develop mirror-image RNA-binding molecules (L-aptamers) that can target RNA structures with high precision for basic science and potential therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $84,700 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM124974-07S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11530273 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable—the grant is a basic-research tool development project, not a patient trial.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not the immediate focus; the work builds tools that may enable future therapies.
What this research studies
This grant aims to create and test a new class of RNA-binding molecules made from mirror-image nucleotides. By focusing on structure-driven binding rather than sequence, the work could yield tools to study RNA function and pursue RNA-related therapies. The project blends chemistry, biology, and biotechnology to evolve L-aptamers that recognize and influence structured RNA targets. Results could expand our ability to probe RNA roles in health and disease and lay groundwork for future treatments. The research is conducted at Texas A&M University with a focus on enabling structure-specific RNA targeting across multiple fields.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from improved research tools and potential new RNA-targeted therapies in the future.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in using structure-specific RNA-binding reagents, but this mirror-image approach is innovative and may offer new capabilities.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sczepanski, Jonathan Thomas — Texas A&m University
- Study coordinator: Sczepanski, Jonathan Thomas
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.