We are incredibly proud of Mor moshe-Snoyman, an MSc student in the laboratory of Assoc. Prof. Roee Amit, for winning Third Place in the MSc Poster Competition at the Technion Jacobs Research Day.
Mor’s award-winning research explores a nature-inspired approach to delivering therapeutic RNA into human cells.
Her work investigates whether biological condensates – membrane-less structures formed through phase separation – can serve as an effective platform for RNA delivery. Developed in Assoc. Prof. Amit’s laboratory, these condensates concentrate RNA, protect it from degradation, and enable its gradual release, potentially improving its biological availability.
The study demonstrated a 6.8-fold increase in RNA uptake by CHO-K1 cells compared to free RNA, highlighting the platform’s promising potential for RNA delivery.
While delivery efficiency in HeLa cells remains limited, the research is already advancing toward a new approach called NanoVelcro. In this strategy, the condensates are coated with proteins that bind to sugars on the cell surface, much like the hooks of Velcro. The combined effect of many weak interactions enhances the condensates’ attachment to cells and promotes their uptake.
This research could contribute to the development of safer and more effective RNA delivery platforms for a wide range of therapeutic applications.
Congratulations, Mor, on this outstanding achievement and for representing your laboratory and our Faculty with excellence.
We wish you continued success and many more achievements on your research journey! ๐๐ป
