The Long Run with Luke Timmerman Ep180: John Rinn on Discovering Drugs Based on Long Non-Coding RNA
Jun 11, 2025
Join John Rinn, a University of Colorado professor and co-founder of Lincswitch Therapeutics, as he transforms our understanding of long non-coding RNA in medicine. He discusses his inspiring journey from Minnesota's hockey rinks to groundbreaking research labs. Delve into the significance of RNA in gene regulation and the therapeutic advancements being made. Plus, discover how AI is revolutionizing drug development, and hear about his balance between science and outdoor activities that fuels his creativity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
From Snowboarding to Chemistry
- John Rinn originally aimed to move to Colorado to snowboard after high school.
- College seemed unlikely until an injury and reading "The Fountainhead" inspired his interest in chemistry.
History of Long Non-Coding RNA Discovery
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were first discovered in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Early focus was on imprinting, but they were soon seen to have broader roles.
Epigenetics Validates lncRNAs as Genes
- Epigenetic marks helped identify functional long non-coding RNAs resembling protein-coding genes.
- Combining RNA characteristics with epigenetics filtered true lncRNAs from noise.
