RNA Interference (RNAi)

RNA interference (RNAi) employs small interfering RNAs to selectively degrade messenger RNA, reducing expression of disease-driving genes. RNAi enables precision modulation of pathogens, immune signaling, and wound biology and can be formulated for local or systemic delivery in austere and combat environments.

Technical Challenges

  • Safe, efficient delivery of RNAi agents to target cells in wounded tissue, lung, or CNS under constrained resources.

  • Stability and storage: ensuring cold-chain–independent formulations suitable for prolonged field care and forward deployment.

  • Off-target effects, immunogenicity, and dose-dependent toxicity in polytrauma or sepsis patients.

  • Rapid design and deployment against evolving pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant organisms.

Emerging Opportunities

  • Robust, room-temperature-stable delivery platforms that preserve potency for field-ready kits.

  • Validated animal-to-human translational models for trauma, biofilm infections, and blast-induced neuroinflammation.

  • Point-of-care diagnostics to identify actionable gene targets and guide RNAi selection in real time.

  • Manufacturing surge capacity and regulatory pathways for emergency military use and rapid clinical translation.

Current and Emerging Technologies in RNA Interference (RNAi)

siRNA Therapeutics & Target Design

Rationally designed siRNAs and RNAi libraries targeting virulence factors, inflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF, IL-6), or bacterial persistence genes enable precision modulation of disease pathways.

Delivery Platforms: Lipid Nanoparticles, Conjugates, and Hydrogels

LNPs, GalNAc and peptide conjugates, inhalable aerosols, and local depot hydrogels address tissue targeting, uptake, and sustained release for pulmonary, wound, or systemic applications.

Chemical Modifications & Formulation Stability

2’-O-methylation, phosphorothioate backbones, and novel excipient matrices improve nuclease resistance, reduce immunogenicity, and enable lyophilized or ambient-stable formulations.

Targeted Delivery & Controlled Release Systems

Antibody- or ligand-directed carriers, implantable depots, and responsive nanoparticles allow site-specific gene silencing to minimize systemic exposure in polytrauma or infection.

Integrated Diagnostics and Rapid Design Pipelines

Point-of-care nucleic acid diagnostics, bioinformatic target selection, and rapid synthesis platforms support agile RNAi countermeasure development for outbreaks or theater-specific threats.

Importance to Military Medicine

Combat Casualty Care and Inflammation Control

RNAi can selectively suppress hyperinflammatory signaling after blast or hemorrhagic shock, reducing secondary tissue injury and improving stabilization during delayed evacuation.

Prolonged Field Care and Localized Therapy

Stable, deployable RNAi formulations for wound infection, lung injury, or hemorrhage can extend therapeutic windows when surgical or critical care resources are limited.

Countering Infectious Threats and AMR

Gene silencing of virulence or resistance determinants offers an adjunct to antibiotics and a rapid-response option against engineered or emerging pathogens.

Readiness and Force Health Protection

Prophylactic or early-intervention RNAi strategies can preserve troop readiness during outbreaks and reduce evacuation burdens during large-scale incidents.

Alignment with the MTEC Mission

Enables rapid translational pipelines from concept to theater-ready countermeasures—aligned with MTEC’s mission to accelerate military medical innovations.

Supports force health protection priorities (infectious disease, trauma, prolonged care) across distributed and austere operational environments.

Promotes public–private partnerships for manufacturing scale-up, regulatory pathways, and dual-use benefits consistent with the MTEC consortium model.

Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications

Therapeutics: adjuncts or alternatives to antibiotics for resistant infections and biofilms in both military and civilian trauma care.

Prophylaxis and outbreak response: rapid-design RNAi countermeasures for novel or engineered pathogens affecting deployed forces and communities.

Regenerative and wound care: localized gene silencing to control scarring, fibrosis, or chronic infection in austere surgical settings.

Diagnostics-driven precision medicine: integrated platforms that link point-of-care testing to tailored RNAi interventions for timely, mission-focused treatment.

Explore MTEC Members with RNA Interference (RNAi) Capabilities

MTEC members bring multidisciplinary strengths—RNA biology, nanoparticle engineering, clinical trial networks, and GMP manufacturing—to accelerate RNAi solutions from bench to battlefield.

Together, consortium partners can de-risk preclinical validation, advance regulatory strategies for military use, and scale ambient-stable formulations for forward deployment. Explore member profiles to identify collaborators with capabilities in target discovery, delivery platforms, and clinical translation.

65 Members with RNA Interference (RNAi) capabilities.

Member
Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.

Member
Humanetics Corporation

Humanetics Corporation is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focused on developing and commercializing products to enhance human health and wellbeing. Founded in 1988, the company specializes in radiation modulators, adjunctive oncology therapies, and pulmonary protective therapies, particularly for COVID-19. Humanetics is known for its lead drug candidate, BIO 300, which is being developed as a radioprotectant for military and civilian use, as well as a treatment to improve outcomes in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. The company is actively engaged in research programs for non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, and head and neck cancers.

Member
Auburn University

Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.

Member
University of Arkansas

The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.

Member
ATCC (American Type Culture Collection)

ATCC is a nonprofit biological resource center, with a nearly century-long legacy supporting public health, biodefense, and global health security. ATCC provides critical infrastructure for infectious disease research and CBR threat response. Our biorepository operations support federal agencies, academia, and industry through secure specimen handling, reagent authentication, and global distribution. ATCC manages over 22 million vials under federal contracts, including repositories for NIAID, CDC, BARDA, NCI, FDA, and USDA. These programs enable rapid deployment of validated biological materials for vaccine development, diagnostic assay verification, and therapeutic screening against high-consequence pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Certified under ISO 9001, 13485, 17025, and 17034, ATCC ensures quality, traceability, and regulatory compliance across its operations. Our high-containment laboratories (BSL-2 and BSL-3, with access to BSL-4 through partners) and Select Agent license position us to support MTEC-aligned efforts in emerging infectious diseases and medical countermeasure development for CBRN threats.

Member
The University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.

Member
Boston University

Boston University is a major research institution committed to leading breakthroughs across various disciplines. The Office of Research supports and advances research excellence, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government leaders to address significant societal challenges.

Member
Cooper University Health Care

Cooper University Health Care is a regional academic health system recognized for comprehensive clinical services, advanced multidisciplinary care, specialized surgery, and robust research in South Jersey. It provides integrated healthcare across general and specialty domains, including cancer, neurosciences, cardiology, trauma, genetics, addiction medicine, and complex surgical procedures, supported by leading technologies and a network of modern facilities.

Member
Baylor University

Baylor University is a preeminent Christian research university committed to addressing the world's most meaningful challenges through top-tier research and scholarship. Recognized as an R1 research institution, Baylor focuses on infusing its distinct Christian mission into its research initiatives, fostering a commitment to excellence and innovation.

Member
Base Pair Biotechnologies

Base Pair Biotechnologies specializes in custom aptamer discovery and development for research, diagnostics, therapeutics, and industrial applications. The company leverages proprietary multiplex selection, advanced bioinformatics, and chemical modification techniques to develop high-affinity and selective nucleic acid aptamers. Base Pair enables affinity reagent development, biosensor design, and molecular detection for a broad range of targets and partners across academia and industry.

Member
Nanovaccine Institute

The Nanovaccine Institute, established at Iowa State University in 2017, is a national transdisciplinary research consortium focused on advancing nano-based technologies to treat and prevent diseases. The institute aims to revolutionize public health outcomes through the design and promotion of nano-based vaccines and therapeutics.

Member
Smith+Nephew

Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology company focused on the repair, regeneration, and replacement of soft and hard tissue. The company aims to restore people's bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. With a commitment to medical education and improving patient outcomes, Smith+Nephew operates in over 100 countries and is dedicated to sustainability and community health. Their purpose is to promote health and wellbeing, not just through their products but also by ensuring a positive impact on society and the environment. Smith+Nephew is also committed to increasing diversity within the medical device industry through initiatives like the Orthopaedics for All global advisory board.

Member
University of Maryland, Baltimore

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is Maryland’s public health, law, and human services university. It is dedicated to improving the human condition and serving the public good through education, research, clinical care, and service. UMB is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland and offers a wide range of professional degrees in health care, human services, and law.

Member
University of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is a top doctoral and research institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Established in 1947, UNCW has grown to serve nearly 18,000 students and employs about 2,500 staff. The university is dedicated to providing a powerful academic experience that fosters creative inquiry, critical thinking, and thoughtful expression in a beautiful coastal setting. UNCW is committed to educational excellence, community engagement, and global connections, making it a vibrant part of the southeastern North Carolina community. UNCW also emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression and mutual respect within its diverse community.

Member
University of Missouri-Kansas City

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is dedicated to transforming today's learners into tomorrow's leaders through innovative education, research, and community engagement. With over 125 academic programs, UMKC fosters a diverse and inclusive environment that empowers students to achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their communities.

Member
Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is the largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice in the world, dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. With a history of innovation spanning nearly 150 years, Mayo Clinic is committed to transforming healthcare through research, education, and compassionate care, ensuring that the best possible treatment is available to everyone.

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