Mai Tran

🙏 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!

🌱 Furthermore, RNA origami structures can be genetically programmed to assemble inside cells and perform specific functions — opening new paths for synthetic cytoskeletons, scaffolding, or sensing.
Excited to explore new applications and collaborations! 🧬🤝
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💻 we built 1 micron RNA origami assemblies for coarse-grained simulation with oxRNA model
📊 the simulations manage to predict the persistence length almost correctly at 3.7 μm (experimental data: 3.4 μm)
📊 the phenotypic transition from nanotubes to nanorings is also elucidated by the simulations
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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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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.
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🧬 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...
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Genetic encoding and expression of RNA origami cytoskeletons in synthetic cells - Nature Nanotechnology This study introduces RNA origami nanotubes as self-assembling cytoskeleton mimics for synthetic cells. Expressed in vesicles from DNA templates, these RNA structures reach micrometre lengths, deform ...

In 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...

How chronic stress warps decision-making Nerve-cell ‘highways’ identified in mice suggest that stress pushes the brain towards rigid habit and away from thoughtful choices.

Scientists have found two ‘dials’ in the brain that help to explain how chronic stress hijacks decision-making

https://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 😖

A roadmap toward the synthesis of life The synthesis of life from non-living matter has captivated and divided scientists for centuries. This bold goal aims at unraveling the fundamental pr…

I'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...

super nice pack! could I also be added? thank you ☺️