Michael Booth
@drmikebooth.bsky.social
Associate Prof of ChemBio+OrgChem at UCL Chemistry, Royal Society URF, chemistry, DNA/RNA, synthetic biology. Coeliac. Dad. 🎸 boothlab.uk
Pinned
Magnetic activation of spherical nucleic acids enables the remote control of synthetic cells - Nature Chemistry
The programmability of synthetic cells, comprising lipid vesicles that are capable of imitating the structure and function of living cells, facilitates their application as drug delivery devices. Now,...
www.nature.com
We’ve developed the first-ever method to control nucleic acid activity and gene-expressing synthetic cells with a deeply tissue penetrating alternating magnetic field 🧬 🧪 🧲!!!
Published in *Nature Chemistry*
Led by Ellen Parkes
@syncelleu.bsky.social #chemsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Published in *Nature Chemistry*
Led by Ellen Parkes
@syncelleu.bsky.social #chemsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Michael Booth
Really impressive talk on artificial cells and all the behaviours that can be built up inside them using DNA by @waltherlab.bsky.social #sbuk2025 #sbuk
November 12, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Really impressive talk on artificial cells and all the behaviours that can be built up inside them using DNA by @waltherlab.bsky.social #sbuk2025 #sbuk
Always great to be at the annual @biochemsoc.bsky.social Synthetic Biology UK conference - today's one is extra special as it's in London and I'm on the organising committee 🫡🫣 #SBUK26 #SBUK2026
November 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Always great to be at the annual @biochemsoc.bsky.social Synthetic Biology UK conference - today's one is extra special as it's in London and I'm on the organising committee 🫡🫣 #SBUK26 #SBUK2026
We had a fantastic group day today - discussing new research ideas and a stimulating trip to the Tate Modern ❤️🧪🧬
It's always so wonderful to spend time with these amazing people
#chemsky
It's always so wonderful to spend time with these amazing people
#chemsky
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 PM
We had a fantastic group day today - discussing new research ideas and a stimulating trip to the Tate Modern ❤️🧪🧬
It's always so wonderful to spend time with these amazing people
#chemsky
It's always so wonderful to spend time with these amazing people
#chemsky
Reposted by Michael Booth
Dr Chris Morris and I have a new paper in Nucleic Acids Research.
This paper has been a long time in the making & was affected by COVID so we are proud to have it published!
@shozebhaider.bsky.social
@effrosynialexandr.bsky.social
@chriswaudby.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
This paper has been a long time in the making & was affected by COVID so we are proud to have it published!
@shozebhaider.bsky.social
@effrosynialexandr.bsky.social
@chriswaudby.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Affinity-selected peptide ligands specifically bind i-motif DNA and modulate c-Myc gene expression
Abstract. c-Myc is an oncogene that is dysregulated in ∼70% of cancers. Its multifaceted function complicates effective drug targeting of the protein. i-Mo
academic.oup.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Dr Chris Morris and I have a new paper in Nucleic Acids Research.
This paper has been a long time in the making & was affected by COVID so we are proud to have it published!
@shozebhaider.bsky.social
@effrosynialexandr.bsky.social
@chriswaudby.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
This paper has been a long time in the making & was affected by COVID so we are proud to have it published!
@shozebhaider.bsky.social
@effrosynialexandr.bsky.social
@chriswaudby.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Reposted by Michael Booth
lol
November 6, 2025 at 4:47 AM
lol
BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC
🧪
🧪
October 31, 2025 at 8:30 PM
BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC
🧪
🧪
Reposted by Michael Booth
Happy to share our newest publication! 🤩
We found that DNA and RNA behave differently in primitive coacervates: RNA makes them more stable, DNA more fluid. Both properties are key for non-enzymatic DNA replication!
An incredible teamwork across continents! 😊
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We found that DNA and RNA behave differently in primitive coacervates: RNA makes them more stable, DNA more fluid. Both properties are key for non-enzymatic DNA replication!
An incredible teamwork across continents! 😊
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Differential stability and dynamics of DNA-based and RNA-based coacervates affect non-enzymatic RNA chemistry - Nature Communications
Mixtures of peptides and nucleic acids tend to demix and form coacervate droplets. Here, the authors show that even short peptides and oligonucleotides form droplets. DNA and RNA impart different prop...
www.nature.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Happy to share our newest publication! 🤩
We found that DNA and RNA behave differently in primitive coacervates: RNA makes them more stable, DNA more fluid. Both properties are key for non-enzymatic DNA replication!
An incredible teamwork across continents! 😊
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We found that DNA and RNA behave differently in primitive coacervates: RNA makes them more stable, DNA more fluid. Both properties are key for non-enzymatic DNA replication!
An incredible teamwork across continents! 😊
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Michael Booth
🚨Our paper is out! 🥳
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for efficient genetic code expansion.
Many congrats to everyone involved - a multi-year effort led by @taruniype.bsky.social @maxfottner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
it all started years ago with a failed experiment
🧵👇 1/9
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for efficient genetic code expansion.
Many congrats to everyone involved - a multi-year effort led by @taruniype.bsky.social @maxfottner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
it all started years ago with a failed experiment
🧵👇 1/9
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for genetic code expansion - Nature
Bacterial ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters can be utilized and engineered to transport non-canonical amino acids into Escherichia coli for highly efficient synthesis of proteins with novel func...
www.nature.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
🚨Our paper is out! 🥳
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for efficient genetic code expansion.
Many congrats to everyone involved - a multi-year effort led by @taruniype.bsky.social @maxfottner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
it all started years ago with a failed experiment
🧵👇 1/9
Hijacking a bacterial ABC transporter for efficient genetic code expansion.
Many congrats to everyone involved - a multi-year effort led by @taruniype.bsky.social @maxfottner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
it all started years ago with a failed experiment
🧵👇 1/9
Reposted by Michael Booth
‘Economics Nobel prize won by researchers who showed how science boosts growth’ by @philipcball.bsky.social in @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
October 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
‘Economics Nobel prize won by researchers who showed how science boosts growth’ by @philipcball.bsky.social in @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
This is a new one for me #chemsky 🧪
My name has appeared on a published paper that I've had nothing to do with (even using an incorrect version of my email address)!
Has this happened to others? If so, what did you do?
My name has appeared on a published paper that I've had nothing to do with (even using an incorrect version of my email address)!
Has this happened to others? If so, what did you do?
October 9, 2025 at 3:26 PM
This is a new one for me #chemsky 🧪
My name has appeared on a published paper that I've had nothing to do with (even using an incorrect version of my email address)!
Has this happened to others? If so, what did you do?
My name has appeared on a published paper that I've had nothing to do with (even using an incorrect version of my email address)!
Has this happened to others? If so, what did you do?
Cell-surface DNA - wowser!
🧬❤️
🧬❤️
We’re excited to report work led by postdoc Jennifer Porat in the lab, finding that DNA accumulates on the surface of living cells and that the secreted extracellular protein DNASE1L3 can modulate its levels on B and T cells. With a new twist for ATAC-seq as well www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
DNASE1L3 surveils mitochondrial DNA on the surface of distinct mammalian cells
The extracellular space is a critical environment for discriminating self versus non-self nucleic acids and initiating the appropriate immune responses through signaling cascades to relay information ...
www.biorxiv.org
October 8, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Cell-surface DNA - wowser!
🧬❤️
🧬❤️
Reposted by Michael Booth
2012 Nobel laureate John Gurdon has died. His work was central to both the development of animal cloning and the possibility of reprogramming cells to a different state. A giant of cell and developmental biology.
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS (1933-2025) | Magdalene College
Magdalene College is deeply saddened to announce the death of Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS, who served as Master of the College from 1995 to 2002.
www.magd.cam.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
2012 Nobel laureate John Gurdon has died. His work was central to both the development of animal cloning and the possibility of reprogramming cells to a different state. A giant of cell and developmental biology.
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
Congratulations to Ellen Parkes for passing her PhD viva last week 🥳
- PhD #8 from the Booth group 🤩🤯 !
Massive thanks to Harrison Steel and @akellett.bsky.social for examining #proudPI
- PhD #8 from the Booth group 🤩🤯 !
Massive thanks to Harrison Steel and @akellett.bsky.social for examining #proudPI
October 6, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Congratulations to Ellen Parkes for passing her PhD viva last week 🥳
- PhD #8 from the Booth group 🤩🤯 !
Massive thanks to Harrison Steel and @akellett.bsky.social for examining #proudPI
- PhD #8 from the Booth group 🤩🤯 !
Massive thanks to Harrison Steel and @akellett.bsky.social for examining #proudPI
Reposted by Michael Booth
Cell-free opens a unique test-bed to reconstituteand to explore alternative life possibilities.
Check our review (by Maud Hofmann, Farouk Abdo, @manishmicrobe and myself) :
Reconstituting alternative life using the test-bed of cell-free systems
doi.org/10.1098/rstb...
Check our review (by Maud Hofmann, Farouk Abdo, @manishmicrobe and myself) :
Reconstituting alternative life using the test-bed of cell-free systems
doi.org/10.1098/rstb...
October 2, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Cell-free opens a unique test-bed to reconstituteand to explore alternative life possibilities.
Check our review (by Maud Hofmann, Farouk Abdo, @manishmicrobe and myself) :
Reconstituting alternative life using the test-bed of cell-free systems
doi.org/10.1098/rstb...
Check our review (by Maud Hofmann, Farouk Abdo, @manishmicrobe and myself) :
Reconstituting alternative life using the test-bed of cell-free systems
doi.org/10.1098/rstb...
It's #ChemNobel season again!
Surely this year should go to the most important chemical breakthrough of our lifetimes: DNA synthesis/Marvin Caruthers 🧬
Phosphoramidite DNA synthesis is the bedrock of modern biology and enabled the development of therapies for untreatable diseases
#chemsky 🧪
Surely this year should go to the most important chemical breakthrough of our lifetimes: DNA synthesis/Marvin Caruthers 🧬
Phosphoramidite DNA synthesis is the bedrock of modern biology and enabled the development of therapies for untreatable diseases
#chemsky 🧪
It's Chem Nobel Prize season, so your reminder that DNA synthesis/Marvin Caruthers needs to win! chemsky 🧪
Without DNA synthesis there is NO *PCR*, *sequencing*, *cloning*, *CRISPR*, *siRNA*, *synthetic biology*, *mRNA vaccines*, *nucleic acid therapeutics*, *Nanotech*
What more am I missing?
Without DNA synthesis there is NO *PCR*, *sequencing*, *cloning*, *CRISPR*, *siRNA*, *synthetic biology*, *mRNA vaccines*, *nucleic acid therapeutics*, *Nanotech*
What more am I missing?
October 1, 2025 at 9:13 AM
It's #ChemNobel season again!
Surely this year should go to the most important chemical breakthrough of our lifetimes: DNA synthesis/Marvin Caruthers 🧬
Phosphoramidite DNA synthesis is the bedrock of modern biology and enabled the development of therapies for untreatable diseases
#chemsky 🧪
Surely this year should go to the most important chemical breakthrough of our lifetimes: DNA synthesis/Marvin Caruthers 🧬
Phosphoramidite DNA synthesis is the bedrock of modern biology and enabled the development of therapies for untreatable diseases
#chemsky 🧪
September 26, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Reposted by Michael Booth
One step closer to designing synthetic cells as drug delivery systems?
Researchers have developed simple cell mimics that activate only when exposed to a magnetic stimulus, opening up new possibilities for #syncell applications
To understand why, read our article👇
syntheticcell.eu/cell-mimics-...
Researchers have developed simple cell mimics that activate only when exposed to a magnetic stimulus, opening up new possibilities for #syncell applications
To understand why, read our article👇
syntheticcell.eu/cell-mimics-...
Will synthetic cells soon offer new solutions for producing and delivering drugs in the body? - European Synthetic Cell Initiative
A study by British researchers opens up new possibilities for engineering cell mimics as drug delivery systems
syntheticcell.eu
September 25, 2025 at 9:31 AM
One step closer to designing synthetic cells as drug delivery systems?
Researchers have developed simple cell mimics that activate only when exposed to a magnetic stimulus, opening up new possibilities for #syncell applications
To understand why, read our article👇
syntheticcell.eu/cell-mimics-...
Researchers have developed simple cell mimics that activate only when exposed to a magnetic stimulus, opening up new possibilities for #syncell applications
To understand why, read our article👇
syntheticcell.eu/cell-mimics-...
Reposted by Michael Booth
🎉 London SynBio Network is back! Join us on 25th of September.
🧬 Surpassing Nature – Metabolic engineering for novel biological CO2 fixation routes
Ari Satanowski
💐 Open Flower: designer flowers for art and education
Nick Desnoyer
➡️ Register at: events.humanitix.com/london-synbi...
🧬 Surpassing Nature – Metabolic engineering for novel biological CO2 fixation routes
Ari Satanowski
💐 Open Flower: designer flowers for art and education
Nick Desnoyer
➡️ Register at: events.humanitix.com/london-synbi...
London SynBio Network 10
London SynBio afterwork talks and networking event on Thursday 25th of September
events.humanitix.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🎉 London SynBio Network is back! Join us on 25th of September.
🧬 Surpassing Nature – Metabolic engineering for novel biological CO2 fixation routes
Ari Satanowski
💐 Open Flower: designer flowers for art and education
Nick Desnoyer
➡️ Register at: events.humanitix.com/london-synbi...
🧬 Surpassing Nature – Metabolic engineering for novel biological CO2 fixation routes
Ari Satanowski
💐 Open Flower: designer flowers for art and education
Nick Desnoyer
➡️ Register at: events.humanitix.com/london-synbi...
The Research Briefing for out Nature Chemistry paper on magnetically activated nucleic acids/synthetic cells is now out:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This is a more accessible summary of the work :) We hope you enjoy!
#chemsky 🧪 🧬 🧲
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This is a more accessible summary of the work :) We hope you enjoy!
#chemsky 🧪 🧬 🧲
September 17, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The Research Briefing for out Nature Chemistry paper on magnetically activated nucleic acids/synthetic cells is now out:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This is a more accessible summary of the work :) We hope you enjoy!
#chemsky 🧪 🧬 🧲
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This is a more accessible summary of the work :) We hope you enjoy!
#chemsky 🧪 🧬 🧲
Reposted by Michael Booth
Jonas Salk is sad when you let your kids get polio
September 16, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Jonas Salk is sad when you let your kids get polio
Reposted by Michael Booth
Join us in London for the 10th anniversary of SynBio UK, the premier conference for synthetic and engineering biology. Submit your abstract for consideration as a poster or oral communication and register before 12 September to save £50 🧪 : www.eventsforce.net/biochemsoc/2...
September 10, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Reposted by Michael Booth
My plans to start a new university in Dorset have run into significant economic headwinds, but I am confident that the business case is solid
September 10, 2025 at 8:32 AM
My plans to start a new university in Dorset have run into significant economic headwinds, but I am confident that the business case is solid
Reposted by Michael Booth
Previous preprint is now published in RSC Chemical Biology.
If you are interested in plasma membrane labeling, see the paper! 👇
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
If you are interested in plasma membrane labeling, see the paper! 👇
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
September 8, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Previous preprint is now published in RSC Chemical Biology.
If you are interested in plasma membrane labeling, see the paper! 👇
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
If you are interested in plasma membrane labeling, see the paper! 👇
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
Reposted by Michael Booth
This is no time to get quieter to avoid a "target on your back" - right now more than ever we need to loudly, without any apologies, express what we believe in - our democracy depends on it... Lab's getting new decor. (Posters on bulletin from Skype a Scientist's store! @sarahmackattack.bsky.social)
September 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This is no time to get quieter to avoid a "target on your back" - right now more than ever we need to loudly, without any apologies, express what we believe in - our democracy depends on it... Lab's getting new decor. (Posters on bulletin from Skype a Scientist's store! @sarahmackattack.bsky.social)
Reposted by Michael Booth
New paper online! In a distillation of years of painful lessons we've learnt exploring applications of RNA-cleaving DNAzymes as agents for knockdown in cells, we showcase the troubling variety of ways that false positives & negatives can creep in - and how to avoid them. pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/A...
Sources of mismeasurement of RNA knockdown by DNAzymes and XNAzymes
RNA-cleaving olignucleotide catalysts composed of DNA and/or nucleic acid analogues (DNAzymes, modified DNAzymes and XNAzymes) are promising agents for specific knockdown of disease-associated RNAs. H...
pubs.rsc.org
September 8, 2025 at 11:10 AM
New paper online! In a distillation of years of painful lessons we've learnt exploring applications of RNA-cleaving DNAzymes as agents for knockdown in cells, we showcase the troubling variety of ways that false positives & negatives can creep in - and how to avoid them. pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/A...