David Porciani

Postdoctoral Fellow, Bond Life Sciences Center

Executive Committee, Science on Wheels

I have always been fascinated in studying the chemical nature and structural diversity of RNA and DNA molecules. Currently, I am a postdoc researcher in Dr. Burke’s lab and my research is focused on developing functional RNAs and DNAs, termed aptamers (from the Latin aptus – fit, and Greek meros – part) that recognize with affinity and selectivity a plethora of molecular targets (such as metabolites, cells, and viruses). In my project, I am working specifically with aptamers that bind cell-surface tumor markers. The idea is to discriminate between malignant and healthy cells and deliver chemotherapeutic drugs or imaging agents only to tumor cells, ultimately reducing off-side effects in non-tumor organs, and increasing the precision of tumor detection.

Connect with Science on Wheels: