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Anastasia Khvorova, PhD, studies the development of novel oligonucleotide-based therapeutics, including RNAi. |
A decade after UMass Medical School professor Craig C. Mello, PhD, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine, along with Andrew Z. Fire, for the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), therapies based on the science are nearing completion, according to a story in the Oct. 16 Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
“It was a fascinating ride, absolutely fabulous ride,” Anastasia Khvorova, PhD, professor of molecular medicine and biochemistry & molecular pharmacology, told the Telegram, of RNAi research. Dr. Khvorova studies the development of novel oligonucleotide-based therapeutics, including RNAi.
“I am, for sure, conflicted, because I have been developing drugs out of oligonucleotides for the last 20 years. At this point, it’s kind of personal to get it to work. I think at this point, RNAi is coming of age.”
Dr. Mello, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, the Blais University Chair in Molecular Medicine and distinguished professor of molecular medicine and cell biology & developmental biology, has said his goal is for scientists to be able to develop therapeutics based on the discovery. The Telegram reports that companies in the United States are moving forward with experimental products using RNAi to address a variety of health issues. A number of RNAi therapeutics are now in clinical trials.
Read the full story Telegram story here.
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