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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Deconstructing synthetic biology across scales: a conceptual approach for training synthetic biologists
A. S. Karim, D. M. Brown, C. M. Archuleta, S Grannan, L Aristilde, Y Goyal, J. N. Leonard, N. M. Mangan, A. Prindle, G. J. Rocklin, K. J. Tyo, L. Zoloth, M. C. Jewett, S. Calkins, N. P. Kamat, D. Tullman-Ercek, J. B. Lucks. Nature Communications (2024). doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-49626-x
Links: Journal, PDFAbout
We created a framework for synthetic biology training that deconstructs biotechnologies across scales—molecular, circuit/network, cell/cell-free systems, biological communities, and societal—giving students a holistic toolkit to integrate cross-disciplinary concepts towards responsible innovation of successful biotechnologies.
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The Effect of Pseudoknot Base Pairing on Cotranscriptional Structural Switching of the Fluoride Riboswitch
L. M. Hertz, E. N. White, K. Kuznedelov, L. Cheng, A. M. Yu, R. Kakkaramadam, K. Severinov, A. Chen, J. B Lucks. Nucleic Acids Research (2024). doi: 10.1101/2023.12.05.570056
Links: Journal, PDF, BioRxivAbout
Here we investigated how RNA sequence changes influence dynamic conformational changes during cotranscriptional folding through the study of transcriptional fluoride riboswitches, non-coding RNAs that sense the fluoride anion through the coordinated folding and rearrangement of a pseudoknotted aptamer domain and a downstream intrinsic terminator expression platform.
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At-Home, Cell-Free Synthetic Biology Education Modules for Transcriptional Regulation and Environmental Water Quality Monitoring
J. K. Jung, B. J. Rasor, G. A. Rybnicky, A. D. Silverman, J. Standeven, R Kuhn, T. Granito, H. M. Ekas, B. M. Wang, A. S. Karim, J. B. Lucks, M. C. Jewett. ACS Synthetic Biology (2023). doi: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00223
Links: Journal, PDFAbout
We developed four shelf-stable, cell-free biosensing modules that allow students to explore synthetic biology by simply adding water and DNA to freeze-dried E. coli extracts. Piloted with K–12 teachers and 130 high-school students, these modules teach gene regulation, biosensor design, and environmental monitoring in the classroom or at home, expanding hands-on access to synthetic biology education.
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Dynamic RNA synthetic biology: new principles, practices and potential
Y. Li, A. Arce#, T. Lucci#, R. A. Rasmussen#, J. B. Lucks. RNA Biology (2023). doi: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2269508
#These authors contributed equally
Links: Journal, PDFAbout
This review considers how the dynamics of RNA have been applied in synthetic biology at molecular, circuit, and cellular scales. We then explore areas where RNA dynamics could by applied to expand biotechnological tools in the areas such as diagnostics, therapeutic delivery, and pharmaceuticals.
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Genetically encoding multiple functionalities into extracellular vesicles for the targeted delivery of biologics to T cells
D. M. Stranford, L. M. Simons, K. E. Berman, L. Cheng, B. N. DiBiase, M. E. Hung, J. B. Lucks, J. F. Hultquist, J. N. Leonard. Nature Biomedical Engineering (2023). doi: 10.1038/s41551-023-01142-x
Links: Journal, PDFAbout
Here we report a suite of methods for the genetic engineering of cells to produce extracellular vesicles (EVs)—which naturally encapsulate and transfer proteins and nucleic acids between cells—for the targeted delivery of biologics to T cells without the need for chemical modifications.