Small-molecule and nucleic acid engineering for therapeutic design
Official title: SMALL-MOLECULE AND NUCLEIC ACID ENGINEERING TOWARD MOLECULAR DESIGNS OF THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11392356 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing smart molecules that can selectively target disease-related RNA and pathways to help treat cancers and related disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $388,384 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155002-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392356 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with cancers or related inflammatory conditions where RNA targets or cGAS–STING pathway modulation could be therapeutically relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People without cancers or diseases linked to the targeted RNA pathways may not benefit from these designs.
What this research studies
This project combines chemistry and nucleic acid engineering to create designer molecules aimed at cancer-related RNA structures and disease pathways. They plan to build targeted RNA degraders, biostable RNA-cleaving mimics, and cyclic dinucleotides to activate immune pathways, with the goal of improved specificity, stability, and effectiveness. The work includes designing programmable RNA-cleavage tools (NAzymes) and making biostable backbones that can function in biological environments. The overall aim is to translate these molecular designs into therapeutic strategies for cancer and inflammation-related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more precise and durable RNA-targeted therapies for cancer and related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts show promise for RNA-targeted degraders and nucleic acid catalysts, but clinically effective options remain limited, making this a promising but exploratory step.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Izgu, Enver C — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Izgu, Enver C
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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.