Podcast Episode
Episode 2: RNA helicases and the rise of mRNA therapeutics with Dr. Eckhard Jankowsky
About this episode
On this episode of RNA Insights, we chat with Dr. Eckhard Jankowsky about his work with RNA helicases and their impact on health, his transition from academia to Big Pharma, and how the past three decades of RNA therapeutic research will influence the future of RNA medicine.
Resources referenced in the episode:
The DEAH-box protein PRP22 is an ATPase that mediates ATP-dependent mRNA release from the spliceosome and unwinds RNA duplexes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9582286/
The DExH protein NPH-II is a processive and directional motor for unwinding RNA: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10667799/
Jankowsky’s publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=z6F2cuoAAAAJ
More information on DDX3X: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/1654
More information on DDX3X syndrome: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/03/416816/scientists-unravel-mystery-rare-genetic-disorder-causes-intellectual-disability
The Viral Protein K7 Inhibits Biochemical Activities and Condensate Formation by the DEAD-box Helicase DDX3X: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022283623003169
Hidden specificity in an apparently non-specific RNA-binding protein: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3800043/#S1
International mRNA Health Conference: https://mrna-conference.com/
AIRNA Presents New Preclinical Data on AATD Therapeutic Candidate AIR-001 and Cardiometabolic RNA-Editing Programs at ASGCT: https://airna.com/news/airna-presents-new-preclinical-data-on-aatd-therapeutic-candidate-air-001-and-cardiometabolic-rna-editing-programs-at-asgct/
Therorna to Showcase Clinical-Ready Circular RNA in vivo CAR-T and CircRNA Pipeline at the 2026 American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Annual Meeting: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260511897230/en/Therorna-to-Showcase-Clinical-Ready-Circular-RNA-in-vivo-CAR-T-and-CircRNA-Pipeline-at-the-2026-American-Society-of-Gene-Cell-Therapy-ASGCT-Annual-Meeting
AviadoBio Presents Positive Preclinical Data for AVB-406 Program in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Tauopathies at ASGCT 2026: https://aviadobio.com/aviadobio-presents-positive-preclinical-data-for-avb-406-program-in-alzheimers-disease-and-other-tauopathies-at-asgct-2026/
Music by Ievgen Poltavskyi from Pixabay
Sound Effect by Ribhav Agrawal from Pixabay
Eclipsebio host: Grace Finnell-Gudwien