Uncovering the principles of molecular design for biology, medicine and biotechnology
Our research
We are a group of energetic scientists driven to understand and improve our relationship with the natural world. Our molecule of interest, RNA, is similar to DNA, but is more versatile within the cell. We study how the structure of RNA plays a role in its cellular jobs, how cells use molecules like RNA to monitor and respond to their changing environments, and how we can use these molecules in cell-free systems to monitor our own environments for health and sustainability.
News
Northwestern University scientists sprint to develop new kind of rapid coronavirus test, Chicago Tribune
Simple test could prevent fluoride-related disease, Science Daily
Recent Publications
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Cell-free biosensors: where have we been and where do we need to go?
A. Arce, D. M. Brown, H. A. Demissie, S. Feng, M. Naji, J. B. Lucks. Current Opinion in Biotechnology (2026). doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2026.103451.
Links: JournalAbout
Here, we review the key technological advances of cell-free biosensors over the last five years and suggest a future path of technology development, including interfacing with circuits, devices, and materials that are becoming part of the next generation of biosensors.
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Active learning-guided optimization of cell-free biosensors for lead testing in drinking water
B. M. Wang, N. Chiang, H. M. Ekas, D. M. Brown, G. Dildine, T. J. Lucci, S. Feng, V. Bly, J.F. Gaillard, J. B. Lucks, A. S. Karim, D. Shukla, M. C. Jewett. Nature Communications (2025). doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-66964-6
Links: JournalAbout
This study presents a multi-objective, machine learning–guided cell-free engineering workflow to optimize allosteric transcription factor (aTF)-based biosensors beyond the limits of traditional directed evolution. Using this approach, we engineered the aTF PbrR to sensitively and selectively detect lead at U.S. EPA action levels in freeze-dried cell-free reactions, enabling point-of-use water diagnostics down to ~5.7 ppb.
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An Integrated Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification (NASBA) and CRISPR-Cas13a-Based Platform for Accurate and Sensitive Detection of Cucumber Mosaic Virus
H. A. Demissie, S. Das, J. R. Thompson, J. B. Lucks. ACS Synthetic Biology (2025). doi: 10.1021/acssynbio.5c00406
Links: JournalAbout
Here we refined a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic platform that combines NASBA amplification with Cas13a to detect Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), achieving attomolar sensitivity and strong specificity even in complex plant lysate backgrounds. We further optimized the system for simplified assembly, lyophilization, and long-term storage, enabling point-of-use detection of CMV in infected plants and establishing a modular framework adaptable to other crop viruses.
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Diversifying Substrates and Reaction Conditions for Polymerase Strand Recycling
Y. Li, A. Gundlach, A. Ellington, J. B. Lucks. ACS Synthetic Biology (2025). doi: 10.1021/acssynbio.5c00207
Links: JournalAbout
Here we advance the development of Polymerase Strand Recycling (PSR) circuit design guidelines to generalize the platform for detecting a diverse set of microRNA inputs. We show that engineering T7 RNAP improves circuit performance and present troubleshooting strategies to further optimize these systems.
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UV-Resistant Cell-Free Reactions with Synthetic Melanin Additives
L. M. Irie, D. M. Brown, J. B. Lucks , N. C. Gianneschi. ACS Synthetic Biology (2025). doi: 10.1021/acssynbio.5c00212
Links: JournalAbout
Here, we explored synthetic melanin nanoparticles as UV-protective additives for Escherichia coli lysate-based cell-free systems used in a variety of point-of-use applications. By leveraging their broadband absorption and radical scavenging properties, we enhanced reaction stability under prolonged UV exposure, extending the long-term potential of these highly field-deployable freeze-dried systems.