Seoul National University Hospital partners with Nobel Laureate for rare disease research

Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) is strengthening its collaborative research on RNA and gene therapies for rare diseases with Nobel Laureate Craig C. Mello of UMass Chan Medical School.

During a recent advisory meeting, researchers discussed strategies for developing RNA and gene-based therapeutics, clinical application methods, and directions for patient-specific treatments. This collaboration builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May last year between SNUH and the UMass Chan Department of Genetics and Cell Biology.

The partnership aims to jointly develop gene and cell therapies, conduct clinical research, and facilitate researcher exchanges, specifically targeting severe neurogenetic disorders such as neurodevelopmental disabilities, epileptic encephalopathy, and neuromuscular diseases. Craig C. Mello, who co-discovered RNA interference (RNAi) in 2006, continues to work on connecting basic research findings to therapeutic development.