Episode 2: RNA helicases and the rise of mRNA therapeutics with Dr. Eckhard Jankowsky  episode artwork

EPISODE · May 28, 2026 · 35 MIN

Episode 2: RNA helicases and the rise of mRNA therapeutics with Dr. Eckhard Jankowsky

from RNA Insights · host Eclipsebio

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 

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

NOW PLAYING

Episode 2: RNA helicases and the rise of mRNA therapeutics with Dr. Eckhard Jankowsky

0:00 35:08

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of RNA Insights?

This episode is 35 minutes long.

When was this RNA Insights episode published?

This episode was published on May 28, 2026.

What is this episode about?

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...

Can I download this RNA Insights episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!