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Full-Time

Research Associate

Computation and Molecular Biology

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Alltrna

Alltrna

51-200 employees

Develops tRNA-based therapies for diseases

Biotechnology
Healthcare

Entry, Junior

Cambridge, MA, USA

Category
Lab & Research
Interdisciplinary Research
Life Sciences
Required Skills
Communications
Requirements
  • BS or MS in biology, cell biology, molecular biology, or a related discipline with 0-2 years of experience working in biotech or a related industry.
  • General molecular biology skill set including DNA/RNA extraction, molecular cloning techniques (e.g. restriction enzyme cloning, Gateway cloning, Gibson/isothermal assembly), gel electrophoresis, PCR/qPCR, etc.
  • Experience maintaining mammalian cell cultures, including performing general tissue culture maintenance and forward/reverse transfections.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Demonstrated ability to interpret data and results, then independently plan the next steps in an experiment.
  • Excellent communication skills, record keeping, and attention to detail. Enthusiasm for learning and an interest in RNA-based therapeutics, with a strong desire to learn and the skills to independently acquire new information.
Responsibilities
  • Prepare sequencing libraries using existing NGS methods and contribute to the development of new NGS methods. Apply these methods to samples from in vitro and in vivo studies while independently operating NGS sequencers.
  • Design and perform cell-based and cell-free reporter assays, including responsibility for designing and maintaining critical reagents such as mRNA templates and oligonucleotide primers.
  • Create and maintain mammalian cell lines.
  • Have a flexible and curious mindset while investigating mechanistic effects of tRNA design on tRNA stability, charging fidelity, and/or potency.
  • Collaborate on identifying and adapting methods from literature for in-house needs.
  • Contribute to the identification and testing of new strategies that could be implemented to improve experimental outcomes and reduce bottlenecks.
  • Communicate experimental results and present data to interdisciplinary audiences.
  • Keep detailed and timely records using an ELN.

Alltrna focuses on developing tRNA therapeutics to treat diseases caused by genetic mutations. Their main product involves engineered tRNAs that can recognize and read stop codons, which are errors in the genetic code that lead to the production of incomplete proteins. By delivering the correct amino acids, these tRNAs help restore the production of full-length proteins, potentially addressing a wide range of diseases linked to nonsense mutations. Unlike other biotech companies, Alltrna is the first to explore the therapeutic potential of tRNA in this way, aiming to unlock new treatment options for patients with specific genetic disorders. The goal of Alltrna is to provide effective treatments that target the root causes of diseases, improving the quality of life for those affected.

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$159M

Headquarters

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Founded

2018

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

-9%

1 year growth

-12%

2 year growth

33%
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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The recent $109 million Series B financing round provides substantial capital to advance their platform and drug candidates, indicating strong investor confidence.
  • Presentations at high-profile conferences like ASGCT and TIDES USA 2024 highlight Alltrna's growing recognition and thought leadership in the biotech community.
  • The appointment of experienced leaders like Chris Henderson as Chief Scientific Officer strengthens their executive team, potentially accelerating innovation and clinical progress.

What critics are saying

  • The novel nature of tRNA therapeutics means there is a high level of scientific and clinical uncertainty, which could delay or derail development efforts.
  • The competitive biotech landscape, especially in genetic therapies, requires continuous innovation to maintain a leading position.

What makes Alltrna unique

  • Alltrna is the first biotech company to decode tRNA biology and leverage it for therapeutic purposes, setting it apart in the biotech landscape.
  • Their focus on treating diseases caused by nonsense mutations through tRNA therapeutics is a unique approach that addresses a significant unmet medical need.
  • The integration of AI/ML tools in their platform enhances their capability to develop diverse programmable molecules, providing a technological edge over competitors.