Nucleic acids carry the biological instructions that control cellular function. Rapid advances in RNA and DNA technologies now make it possible to use those instructions as medicines—to replace missing functions, regulate harmful genes, reprogram immune cells, generate therapeutic proteins, and stimulate protective immune responses.
The development of mRNA vaccines demonstrated the transformative potential of nucleic acid medicines, but vaccines represent only one part of a much broader opportunity. Messenger RNA, circular RNA, self-amplifying RNA, gene-regulatory technologies, engineered immune-cell therapies, and targeted delivery systems are creating new approaches to diseases that have traditionally been difficult to treat.
CNAT explicitly identifies RNA therapeutics as an emerging pillar of medicine and highlights mRNA, saRNA, circular RNA, gene therapy, and CAR-T-related technologies as areas of major opportunity.
The UTMB Center for Nucleic Acid Technologies was established to bring these capabilities together within a multidisciplinary environment dedicated to therapeutic innovation and translation.
UTMB combines longstanding strengths in translational research, virology, immunology, and vaccine development with expanding programs in oncology, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. The institution also offers specialized research infrastructure, a highly collaborative environment, and strong experience in translating scientific discoveries into medical countermeasures and therapeutic applications.
The proximity of UTMB to the greater Houston biotechnology community and the Texas Medical Center further creates opportunities for academic, clinical, and industry collaboration.
By connecting these strengths through a common nucleic acid technology platform, CNAT provides an opportunity to accelerate discovery while positioning UTMB as a national leader in this rapidly developing area of medicine.
The UTMB Center for Nucleic Acid Technologies accelerates the discovery, development, and clinical translation of innovative nucleic acid therapeutics by integrating expertise in RNA biology, delivery technologies, immunology, oncology, and translational science.
To establish UTMB as a national leader in nucleic acid therapeutics by pioneering transformative nucleic acid technologies for the prevention and treatment of genetic, autoimmune, infectious, and malignant diseases.
- Innovate — Develop transformative nucleic acid technologies.
- Translate — Advance discoveries from laboratory research to clinical application.
- Collaborate — Integrate expertise across UTMB departments and centers.
- Lead — Establish UTMB as a national leader in nucleic acid therapeutics.
- Educate — Train the next generation of scientists and clinician-investigators.