Würzburg Life Science Seminar: Matthew Disney

Prof Matthew Disney - "How we think about targeting and modulating human RNAs with small molecules"

The Disney group’s central focus is discovering and designing small molecules that specifically bind to structured RNA targets to regulate their function. By combining evolutionary principles, chemical screening, and computational profiling, the team identifies RNA folds across the human transcriptome that can be selectively targeted by small molecules to treat diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. Their work expands the concept of “druggability” by developing innovative RNA-targeting strategies—such as RiboTACs and direct RNA degraders—that can modulate RNA splicing, and stability to advance precision medicine. In his talk, entitled ‘How we think about targeting and modulating human RNAs with small molecules’, Matthew Disney will share recent insights from this work.