...combining the capability and funding of commercial business with the deepest knowledge of the science.

We are offering to partner with commercial outfits in the biotech industry in an effort to translate discoveries into a product, whether it's a medical treatment or another biotechnology, technical, technological application.

We believe that combining the capability and funding of commercial business with the deepest knowledge of the science can be of significant benefit in enabling potential translation and commercialisation paths for Australian-based research and development.

Services

One of our core missions of the Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation is to build partnerships and capabilities to collaborate and innovate around two central themes of interest: RNA THERAPEUTICS and RNA DIAGNOSTICS. The Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation can enrich and support all your RNA research needs through:

• Understanding the fundamentals of RNA biology
• Supporting the discovery of new RNA targets
• Developing new RNA tools
• Screening of RNA biomarkers and new therapeutics
• Selecting RNA candidates and optimisation
• Developing new computational tools
• Using pre-clinical models for RNA diagnostic and therapeutic validation
• Designing and implementing your RNA manufacturing solutions

Technologies

ANU is actively looking for industry partners to co-develop and commercialise our RNA based technologies.

Artificial Intelligence for designing mRNAs with high translational power

SDCRI researchers have developed an AI-based approach to quantify mRNA-specific absolute protein synthesis rates, providing measurements critical to understand cell's response to stressors, infections, and diseases.

The new approach uses multiple bio-signals derived from the protein synthesis occurring directly in live cells and can be used to design mRNA vaccines and therapeutics with high protein expression rates and specificity.

Find out more…

Figure: Predicted vs measured protein synthesis rate comparison between current approaches and ANU technology.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Therapies using microRNA

Researchers from SDCRI are working on a potential therapy for atrophic AMD, the leading cause of blindness in the developed world affecting 288 million people by 2040.

Atrophic AMD accounts for 90% of all AMD cases and there is no cure (for any form of AMD).

The researchers are using microRNA molecules found in retinal extracellular vesicles and have discovered that they may be a viable therapy for retinal degeneration. Extracellular vesicles are being considered as a key delivery vehicle for the microRNA.

The therapy may also be useful for other neurodegenerative diseases and the potential use of microRNA as a diagnostic is being explored.

General enquiries

Professor Thomas Preiss, Director, the Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation

Anna Maria Benc, Centre Manager, the Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation

Riya Palchaudhuri, Commercialisation Development Manager,