Mai Tran
RNA and DNA origamist
Currently searching for postdoc positions
PhD in @kgoepfrich.bsky.social working on building a syncell from RNA/DNA nanotech
- 🧬 Thrilled to share that our work is featured on the cover of @natnano.nature.com (May issue)! We genetically encoded RNA origami that self-assembles into cytoskeletal nanotubes inside synthetic cells. 📄 Paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41... 🧵👇
- We engineered RNA tiles that fold co-transcriptionally and assemble in situ inside Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) No chemical synthesis needed — just a DNA template, rNTPs building blocks, and T7 polymerase. A new route to building functional, evolvable synthetic cells. 🧵👇
- Our RNA nanotubes: ✔️ can be produced in situ and self-assemble inside liposomes ✔️ show tunable stiffness - flexible tubes can bundle at high Mg2+ ✔️ subtle mutations lead to formation of nanorings instead of nanotubes (cover image) ✔️ form membrane cortex and deform membrane 🧵👇
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View full thread🙏 Huge thanks to our incredible lab and project team. @kgoepfrich.bsky.social, Taniya Chakraborty, @floppleton.bsky.social, Luca Monari, Maja Illig, and Franziska Giessler This work couldn't be done without their support! Looking forward to what’s next!
- Reposted by Mai TranIn the latest from @kgoepfrich.bsky.social’s group, led by the relentless @tranmai.bsky.social, we expressed RNA origami “cytoskeletons” in vesicles! We were fascinated that small changes in design led to divergent results. Future potential for directed evolution?! 🧬🧪 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- Reposted by Mai TranScientists have found two ‘dials’ in the brain that help to explain how chronic stress hijacks decision-making go.nature.com/41nrC88
- and it affects not only the laundry industry but also my experiments 😢 gotta shock myself with a metal window before work so often in this dry weather 😖
- The mechanism that causes static electricity to build up has been a mystery go.nature.com/3X9wGKN
- Reposted by Mai TranI'm happy to share this roadmap towards the synthesis of life! It is the result of one of the best workshops I ever attended, where scientists across biology, chemistry, and physics came together to map out the key challenges to synthesize life. Enjoy! www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
