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
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
BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC
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October 31, 2025 at 8:30 PM
BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC
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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?
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
September 26, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Fantastic talk about the shape of DNA from Zoë Waller at Shankarfest in Cambridge Chemistry - along with some embarrassing photos... 🫣
@drzoewaller.bsky.social
@drzoewaller.bsky.social
September 6, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Fantastic talk about the shape of DNA from Zoë Waller at Shankarfest in Cambridge Chemistry - along with some embarrassing photos... 🫣
@drzoewaller.bsky.social
@drzoewaller.bsky.social
Through nanoparticle engineering, we were able to generate a tight ‘off’ state - then could achieve full activation using clinically relevant FDA/EMA-approved magnetic field frequencies 🧲🏥!
We hope this will enable synthetic cells for real-world application in the body 🧬🟢
We hope this will enable synthetic cells for real-world application in the body 🧬🟢
September 3, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Through nanoparticle engineering, we were able to generate a tight ‘off’ state - then could achieve full activation using clinically relevant FDA/EMA-approved magnetic field frequencies 🧲🏥!
We hope this will enable synthetic cells for real-world application in the body 🧬🟢
We hope this will enable synthetic cells for real-world application in the body 🧬🟢
By switching out the DNA template for one that encoded a pore protein, we demonstrated magnetically-activated release of a model drug molecule from the synthetic cells!
This shows the potential for targeted drug delivery of synthetic cells, using a magnetic field 💊🧬🧲
This shows the potential for targeted drug delivery of synthetic cells, using a magnetic field 💊🧬🧲
September 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
By switching out the DNA template for one that encoded a pore protein, we demonstrated magnetically-activated release of a model drug molecule from the synthetic cells!
This shows the potential for targeted drug delivery of synthetic cells, using a magnetic field 💊🧬🧲
This shows the potential for targeted drug delivery of synthetic cells, using a magnetic field 💊🧬🧲
By encapsulating these magSNAs into synthetic cells, we managed to magnetically 🧲 activate internal gene expression within a tissue phantom mimic 👻 that is impenetrable by the current state of the art optical and small molecule stimuli!!!
September 2, 2025 at 12:56 PM
By encapsulating these magSNAs into synthetic cells, we managed to magnetically 🧲 activate internal gene expression within a tissue phantom mimic 👻 that is impenetrable by the current state of the art optical and small molecule stimuli!!!
To achieve this, we generated magnetically-activated spherical nucleic acids, based on the pioneering work from
Chad Mirkin and others 💪🟢🧬
For the amazing ‘off’ state we achieved, Ellen developed a whole new SNA purification method!
Chad Mirkin and others 💪🟢🧬
For the amazing ‘off’ state we achieved, Ellen developed a whole new SNA purification method!
September 2, 2025 at 11:02 AM
To achieve this, we generated magnetically-activated spherical nucleic acids, based on the pioneering work from
Chad Mirkin and others 💪🟢🧬
For the amazing ‘off’ state we achieved, Ellen developed a whole new SNA purification method!
Chad Mirkin and others 💪🟢🧬
For the amazing ‘off’ state we achieved, Ellen developed a whole new SNA purification method!
We then applied this nuclear targeting Oblimersen ASO in a clinically-relevant acute myeloid leukemia cell model - and observed the improved activity at mRNA and protein level, along with increased chemosensitization in combination with a chemotherapy!
August 5, 2025 at 4:57 PM
We then applied this nuclear targeting Oblimersen ASO in a clinically-relevant acute myeloid leukemia cell model - and observed the improved activity at mRNA and protein level, along with increased chemosensitization in combination with a chemotherapy!
We then switched to use Oblimersen, an ASO that has reached Phase III clinical trials. We showed increased activity at the mRNA and protein level, and measured nuclear uptake by cell fractionation and immunocytochemistry!
August 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
We then switched to use Oblimersen, an ASO that has reached Phase III clinical trials. We showed increased activity at the mRNA and protein level, and measured nuclear uptake by cell fractionation and immunocytochemistry!
We then attached a common gene knockdown ASO sequence (MALAT1 - RNase H active) and again saw dramatically increased activity by transfection and gymnosis
Using immunocytochemistry, we saw a large increase in the nuclear accumulation - and again, activity was outcompeted with excess small molecule
Using immunocytochemistry, we saw a large increase in the nuclear accumulation - and again, activity was outcompeted with excess small molecule
August 5, 2025 at 12:48 PM
We then attached a common gene knockdown ASO sequence (MALAT1 - RNase H active) and again saw dramatically increased activity by transfection and gymnosis
Using immunocytochemistry, we saw a large increase in the nuclear accumulation - and again, activity was outcompeted with excess small molecule
Using immunocytochemistry, we saw a large increase in the nuclear accumulation - and again, activity was outcompeted with excess small molecule
Using a standard splice switching oligonucleotide, we showed double the activity using transfection and gymnosis!
A blockade assay, using the small molecule separately, demonstrated our ASO conjugate was binding the same protein target in the cell
A blockade assay, using the small molecule separately, demonstrated our ASO conjugate was binding the same protein target in the cell
August 5, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Using a standard splice switching oligonucleotide, we showed double the activity using transfection and gymnosis!
A blockade assay, using the small molecule separately, demonstrated our ASO conjugate was binding the same protein target in the cell
A blockade assay, using the small molecule separately, demonstrated our ASO conjugate was binding the same protein target in the cell
We have dramatically increased splice switching *and* RNase-H ASO activity by conjugating a nuclear importer!
Published in JACS (@jacs.acspublications.org )
Led by Disha Kashyap, with Tom Milne+@natahub.org
@uclchemistry.bsky.social 🧬🧪 #chemsky
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Published in JACS (@jacs.acspublications.org )
Led by Disha Kashyap, with Tom Milne+@natahub.org
@uclchemistry.bsky.social 🧬🧪 #chemsky
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
August 5, 2025 at 8:26 AM
We have dramatically increased splice switching *and* RNase-H ASO activity by conjugating a nuclear importer!
Published in JACS (@jacs.acspublications.org )
Led by Disha Kashyap, with Tom Milne+@natahub.org
@uclchemistry.bsky.social 🧬🧪 #chemsky
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Published in JACS (@jacs.acspublications.org )
Led by Disha Kashyap, with Tom Milne+@natahub.org
@uclchemistry.bsky.social 🧬🧪 #chemsky
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
We then added a toehold sequence to the oligoPROTAC. By using a third oligo we could turn 'off' the activity through toehold mediated strand displacement
After degrading the target protein, we could even use this inhibitor oligo to restore the levels of the degraded protein!
After degrading the target protein, we could even use this inhibitor oligo to restore the levels of the degraded protein!
August 1, 2025 at 3:24 PM
We then added a toehold sequence to the oligoPROTAC. By using a third oligo we could turn 'off' the activity through toehold mediated strand displacement
After degrading the target protein, we could even use this inhibitor oligo to restore the levels of the degraded protein!
After degrading the target protein, we could even use this inhibitor oligo to restore the levels of the degraded protein!
Excitingly, we found similar activity of our optimal oligoPROTAC to the corresponding small molecule PROTAC (i.e. same warheads but with an alkyl linker) - similar concentration/time profiles, downstream activity, and cell death!
August 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Excitingly, we found similar activity of our optimal oligoPROTAC to the corresponding small molecule PROTAC (i.e. same warheads but with an alkyl linker) - similar concentration/time profiles, downstream activity, and cell death!
We observed distance-dependant protein degradation (like a small mol PROTAC) by attaching PROTAC warheads onto non-complementary base pairs at the same end of a double stranded DNA - thereby forming our 'oligoPROTACs'
August 1, 2025 at 10:35 AM
We observed distance-dependant protein degradation (like a small mol PROTAC) by attaching PROTAC warheads onto non-complementary base pairs at the same end of a double stranded DNA - thereby forming our 'oligoPROTACs'
It was a privilege to organise the 2025 RSC Nucleic Acids Forum at Burlington House last week - @rscnucleicacids.bsky.social!
The NAF has been my favourite event every year, so it was amazing to run it myself!
Full crowd, fantastic talks and posters, and a wonderful community 🧬❤️
The NAF has been my favourite event every year, so it was amazing to run it myself!
Full crowd, fantastic talks and posters, and a wonderful community 🧬❤️
July 14, 2025 at 9:44 AM
It was a privilege to organise the 2025 RSC Nucleic Acids Forum at Burlington House last week - @rscnucleicacids.bsky.social!
The NAF has been my favourite event every year, so it was amazing to run it myself!
Full crowd, fantastic talks and posters, and a wonderful community 🧬❤️
The NAF has been my favourite event every year, so it was amazing to run it myself!
Full crowd, fantastic talks and posters, and a wonderful community 🧬❤️
Demonstrating the application of our lysosomal trafficking oligonucleotides (LyTONs), we achieved potent mRNA+protein knockdown of an important leukaemia target: Menin
As previously, this activity was shown to be entirely coming from the lysosome!
As previously, this activity was shown to be entirely coming from the lysosome!
June 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Demonstrating the application of our lysosomal trafficking oligonucleotides (LyTONs), we achieved potent mRNA+protein knockdown of an important leukaemia target: Menin
As previously, this activity was shown to be entirely coming from the lysosome!
As previously, this activity was shown to be entirely coming from the lysosome!
Crucially, using lysosomal inhibitors, we demonstrated that all the extra activity we observed from LyTONs was coming from the lysosome – and that intact lysosomes were vital for their activity
This proved the mechanism of action as lysosomal trafficking of the mRNA!
This proved the mechanism of action as lysosomal trafficking of the mRNA!
June 23, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Crucially, using lysosomal inhibitors, we demonstrated that all the extra activity we observed from LyTONs was coming from the lysosome – and that intact lysosomes were vital for their activity
This proved the mechanism of action as lysosomal trafficking of the mRNA!
This proved the mechanism of action as lysosomal trafficking of the mRNA!
This lysosomal transporter even increased the activity of corresponding state-of-the-art ‘gapmers’, which are conventionally used for gene knockdown (via transfection + gymnosis)
-> This dual RNase H and lysosomal activity may be able to improve current ASO therapeutics!
-> This dual RNase H and lysosomal activity may be able to improve current ASO therapeutics!
June 23, 2025 at 10:34 AM
This lysosomal transporter even increased the activity of corresponding state-of-the-art ‘gapmers’, which are conventionally used for gene knockdown (via transfection + gymnosis)
-> This dual RNase H and lysosomal activity may be able to improve current ASO therapeutics!
-> This dual RNase H and lysosomal activity may be able to improve current ASO therapeutics!
By conjugating a lysosomal transporter to RNase H-inactive ASOs, we saw increased gene knockdown across multiple cell lines using transfection AND gymnosis!
June 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
By conjugating a lysosomal transporter to RNase H-inactive ASOs, we saw increased gene knockdown across multiple cell lines using transfection AND gymnosis!
The bottom up nucleic acid synthetic biologists have got the moves at #SCNAC2025 - w/ @kgoepfrich.bsky.social
😏 @jamessaenz.bsky.social
😏 @jamessaenz.bsky.social
June 11, 2025 at 9:52 AM
The bottom up nucleic acid synthetic biologists have got the moves at #SCNAC2025 - w/ @kgoepfrich.bsky.social
😏 @jamessaenz.bsky.social
😏 @jamessaenz.bsky.social