Yonsei University Team Advances Precision RNA Therapeutics with AI-Driven mRNA Design

A research team at Yonsei University, led by Professor Kim Tae-don of the College of Pharmacy, has been selected for a national R&D project focused on developing AI-based custom mRNA structure design technology. This initiative, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea, aims to significantly accelerate the development of precision RNA therapeutics.

The project, designated as a national R&D program, will receive a total of 4.5 billion won in research funding over five years, starting in 2026. Professor Kim Tae-don's team at Yonsei University will lead the project, with joint participation from Professor Song Gil-tae from Pusan National University's Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Professor Lee Kyung-ha from Yonsei University's Department of Molecular Biology, and Professor Kim Woo-yeon from KAIST's Department of Chemistry, who also heads HITS Inc.

Building on the advancements in mRNA-based therapeutics spurred by COVID-19 vaccine development, the research aims to expand applications beyond infectious diseases to areas like cancer vaccines and gene therapy. The team plans to develop AI models capable of predicting structural elements for mRNA stability and translation efficiency, utilizing large datasets for AI-driven mRNA structure design. They will also establish a virtual laboratory based on Agentic AI for mRNA structure design, enabling rapid discovery and experimental validation of next-generation therapeutic candidates.

The project's scope includes building an integrated platform that encompasses data generation for high-efficiency mRNA vaccines, developing a foundation model for RNA structure and sequence patterns, and verifying the functionality of full-length mRNA through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The team has already secured preliminary research achievements in novel synthesis technologies for mRNA vaccines, RNA-protein binding prediction models, and Agentic AI for biological research.

Professor Kim Tae-don, the principal investigator, stated, "By establishing a virtual RNA laboratory based on Agentic AI, we will develop a platform for rapidly designing optimal mRNA structures and contribute to creating a new paradigm for next-generation mRNA drug development." The initiative seeks to secure technological sovereignty in mRNA design and advance innovative gene therapy research.

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By establishing a virtual RNA laboratory based on Agentic AI, we will develop a platform for rapidly designing optimal mRNA structures and contribute to creating a new paradigm for next-generation mRNA drug development.