Sensing intracellular signatures with synthetic mRNAs

iPS cell therapy 2.0: Preparing for next-generation regenerative medicine

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the world's first transplantation of tissue generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). There is now a growing number of clinical trials worldwide examining the efficacy and safety of autologous and allogeneic iPSC-derived products for treating various pathologic conditions. As we patiently wait for the results from these and future clinical trials, it is imperative to strategize for the next generation of iPSC-based therapies. This review examines the lessons learned from the development of another advanced cell therapy, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and the possibility of incorporating various new bioengineering technologies in development, from RNA engineering to tissue fabrication, to apply iPSCs not only as a means to achieve personalized medicine but also as designer medical applications.

NucleoCraft: The Art of Stimuli-Responsive Precision in DNA and RNA Bioengineering

Recent advancements in DNA and RNA bioengineering have paved the way for developing stimuli-responsive nanostructures with remarkable potential across various applications. These nanostructures, crafted through sophisticated bioengineering techniques, can dynamically and precisely respond to both physiological and physical stimuli, including nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), adenosine triphosphate, proteins, ions, small molecules, pH, light, and temperature. They offer high sensitivity and specificity, making them ideal for applications such as biomarker detection, gene therapy, and controlled targeted drug delivery. In this review, we summarize the bioengineering methods used to assemble versatile stimuli-responsive DNA/RNA nanostructures and discuss their emerging applications in structural biology and biomedicine, including biosensing, targeted drug delivery, and therapeutics. Finally, we highlight the challenges and opportunities in the rational design of these intelligent bioengineered nanostructures.

Advancing in vivo reprogramming with synthetic biology

Reprogramming cells will play a fundamental role in shaping the future of cell therapies by developing new strategies to engineer cells for improved performance and higher-order physiological functions. Approaches in synthetic biology harness cells' natural ability to sense diverse signals, integrate environmental inputs to make decisions, and execute complex behaviors based on the health of the organism or tissue. In this review, we highlight strategies in synthetic biology to reprogram cells, and discuss how recent approaches in the delivery of modified mRNA have created new opportunities to alter cell function in vivo. Finally, we discuss how combining concepts from synthetic biology and the delivery of mRNA in vivo could provide a platform for innovation to advance in vivo cellular reprogramming.