Center for RNA Therapeutics

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The Center for RNA Therapeutics at Houston Methodist is a unique academic operation that has the mission: (1) to perform rigorous research that reveals foundational biological mechanisms in RNA biology; (2) to translate that knowledge into novel RNA-based products; and (3) to assist other academic groups and small companies develop their great ideas into transformative RNA therapeutics.

 

The Center has invested in the personnel and resources to construct an assembly line to translate RNA discoveries toward the clinic.  The Center is enriched by scientists with skills in RNA construct design, synthesis, purification and validation; a GLP program to generate pre-clinical data for IND submissions; a cGMP team with clean rooms to manufacture clinical grade RNA therapeutics; a first-in-man clinical trials unit; and faculty collaborators in the Department of Nanomedicine who devise customized solutions for RNA delivery. Members of our program are funded by the National Institutes of Health, the US Department of Defense, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and collaborations with industry partners.

 

 

The CPRIT RNACore is a key focal point of this support and is funded by a recently renewed multi-year CPRIT grant, as well as industry partnerships.  The RNACore is funded by the State of Texas to facilitate pre-clinical studies in RNA therapeutics; to generate innovative research grade constructs for the scientific community; and to produce RNA therapeutics in our onsite cGMP manufacturing facility for clinical trials.


Check Out Our New Brochures: 

The Center for RNA Theraputics Brochure
mRNA therapeutics for Skin Rejuvenation Brochure
The Houston Methodist Center for RNA Therapeutics received the Vaccine Industry Award for the Best Academic Team Research Award at the 2021 World Vaccine Congress. The Center was recognized for its work as an academic research organization supporting small companies and academic groups in their development and testing of mRNA Therapeutics. Learn more. 

Medical Director

John P. Cooke, MD, PhD

John P. Cooke, MD, PhD
Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter and Carole Walter Looke Presidential Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Research, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Chair, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences
Director, Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College

Administrative Director

John P. Cooke, MD, PhD

Susmitha K. Gadde, MBBS, MBA, CCRP
Research Administrative Director,
Center for RNA Therapeutics,
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center


Operations Manager

Ray Prakash 
Sr. Research Operations Manager,
Center for RNA Therapeutics,
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center

Contact Us


Center for RNA Therapeutics
Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute 
6670 Bertner Ave., 10th floor 
Houston, TX 77030 
713-363-8554
rnacore@houstonmethodist.org