In this first episode, hosts AJ and Søren speak to Julia Alterman, assistant professor at the RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMass Chan Medical School, about how siRNA technology has evolved from a useful laboratory research tool into a promising therapeutic modality.

Their conversation explores innovations in siRNA chemistry and how these changes have enabled researchers to craft potent siRNA drugs. Julia talks about her unlikely beginnings as a theater major before finding her way into biology – eventually leading her into the biotech industry and academia. Along the way, she discusses the challenges of delivering siRNAs beyond the liver into harder-to-reach tissues such as the brain and muscle, and the serendipitous discovery that helped launch Atalanta Therapeutics.

In this episode:

• 04.23 – Explainer: What are siRNAs?
• 08:42 – Meet Julia Alterman
• 12.39 – Julia’s history in industry
• 16.33 – UMass and a PhD pivot
• 18.28 – siRNAs versus ASOs
• 21:39 – siRNAs versus CRISPR
• 28:33 – A serendipitous breakthrough
• 38.02 – Baby steps and big leaps
• 42.10 – Stability and the therapeutic window
• 46.27 – The importance of strong science communication
• 50.55 – Scientists and VC funding
• 54.28 – Wrap up and reflections

About the guest

Julia Alterman is an assistant professor at the RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMass Chan Medical School, where she develops new siRNA therapies for genetically defined diseases. Her work spans RNA chemistry, delivery, and pharmacology. Her earlier research into siRNA scaffold was licensed to Atalanta Therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

https://www.umassmed.edu/khvorovalab/People/faculty/Julia-Alterman/

Dose of Discovery is cohosted by Søren Hough and Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi (AJ) and produced by Suze Cooper.

LINKS:

RNA Fact Sheet from the National Human Genome Research Institute

BioXconomy’s coverage of the Alterman and Khvorova labs:

"siRNA backbone modifications boost therapeutic potential, study finds" by Nnenna Ohaka (Exploration of exNA)

"Cutting-edge siRNA therapy improves ALS symptoms, survival in mice" by Søren Hough (Exploration of divalent siRNAs)

"Long-lasting siRNAs could help cancer patients and older people resist muscle loss" by Søren Hough (Including a photo of a Belgian blue cow)

"Oligo-based therapies lead charge against prion disease" by Nnenna Ohaka

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Tune in as hosts Søren and AJ have thoughtful, accessible conversations with leading scientists about complex subjects, following emerging therapeutics as they move from research to real-world impact.

Dose of Discovery — BioXconomy’s flagship podcast — is for biotech professionals, researchers, and curious listeners alike. Subscribe now for your regular dose of breakthrough medical discoveries delivered with your morning coffee. (Coffee not included).

Read more at BioXconomy: https://bioxconomy.com/

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