36. RNA-Powered Cellular Computing w/ Sam Schaffter

In this episode of EBRC In Translation, hosts Heidi Klumpe and Talia Jacobson interview Sam Schaffter, lead scientist for RNA synthetic biology at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), about genetically encoded RNA circuits for real-time sensing of gene expression and their potential in diagnostics, therapeutics, and biotechnology. Sam describes his path from bioengineering and biochemistry at Purdue through DNA computing and molecular programming, to shifting toward cell-based synthetic biology after the 2019 SEED conference. He later joined NIST via an NRC postdoctoral fellowship. He compares national-lab and academic research environments, highlighting differences in equipment access and funding structures. Sam explains why RNA circuits enable programmable, portable molecular computation in dividing cells, outlines a long-term vision for pattern-recognition classifiers in living systems, and discusses limitations of current AI for RNA and protein function. He also emphasizes NIST’s role in standards, reference materials, and improved RNA-level measurements such as nanopore sequencing. 

Sam will be at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Synthetic Biology Summer Course this year instructing modules on RNA Circuits, DNA nanostructures, and synthetic cells with Leo Green.

For graduate students interested in exploring government postdocs, check out the National Research Council Research Associateship Program. Feel free to reach out to Sam with any questions.

For more information about EBRC:

Visit our website at ebrc.org. If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today!

Transcription:
Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.