Embedded Files
Recreating the lost RNA World of primordial life
Illuminating the hidden RNA World of modern life
Keep an eye on this space for updates
Keep an eye on this space for updates
2026
2026
May 1, 2026
May 1, 2026
Congrats Natalie for winning the Lucy Institute for Data and Society's Graduate Fellowship. Natalie will use in vitro evolution, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics to visualize RNA evolution.
April 30, 2026
April 30, 2026
Our undergrads: Matt, Drew, Casey, and Jackson presented their research at the CoSE-JAM poster session. Matt also gave a talk on his RNA-based mercury sensor.
April 28, 2026
April 28, 2026
We launched the ND RNA mini-symposium series.
We launched the ND RNA mini-symposium series.
ND RNA is Notre Dame's own RNA Salon. ND RNA is funded by the RNA Society, Lexogen, the College of Science, and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
The mini-symposium featured four trainee talks and one keynote talk by Dr. Daniel Duzdevich (UChicago).
April 26, 2026
April 26, 2026
Senior Matt Politte wins the 'Best Chemist Award' from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. A great way to celebrate your accomplishments in the lab for the last two years.
Senior Matt Politte wins the 'Best Chemist Award' from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. A great way to celebrate your accomplishments in the lab for the last two years.
Sophomore Caden Estes wins an ND nano Undergraduate Research Fellowship (NURF). A great start in the lab.
Sophomore Caden Estes wins an ND nano Undergraduate Research Fellowship (NURF). A great start in the lab.
April 22, 2026
April 22, 2026
The DasGupta and Lieberman labs have been awarded a Berthiaume Technology Initiator Fund Award. This is allow both labs to advance the goal of developing paper microfluidics-based fluorescent sensors for heavy metals.
The DasGupta and Lieberman labs have been awarded a Berthiaume Technology Initiator Fund Award. This is allow both labs to advance the goal of developing paper microfluidics-based fluorescent sensors for heavy metals.
April 14, 2026
April 14, 2026
Congratulations Taylor for winning the Leadership Advancing Socially Engaged Research (LASER) Fellowship.
Congratulations Taylor for winning the Leadership Advancing Socially Engaged Research (LASER) Fellowship.
LASER is an experiential training program for Notre Dame Ph.D. students who have completed their required coursework by the start of academic year 2026–2027. It is intended to develop leadership proficiencies and aptitude as well as to explore and build skills for socially engaged research.
April 13, 2026
April 13, 2026
Annyesha was selected for Notre Dame's Future Faculty Workshop. She was also elected as one of two Notre Dame postdocs featured as speakers at the ‘Women For Good Annual Weekend 2026’, an initiative by Hesburgh Women of Impact . Congratulations and congratulations!
Annyesha was selected for Notre Dame's Future Faculty Workshop. She was also elected as one of two Notre Dame postdocs featured as speakers at the ‘Women For Good Annual Weekend 2026’, an initiative by Hesburgh Women of Impact . Congratulations and congratulations!
March 30, 2026
March 30, 2026
Saurja was interviewed by 'Pebbles' - the science magazine of St. Xavier's College Kolkata, India. Read the interview here.
Saurja was interviewed by 'Pebbles' - the science magazine of St. Xavier's College Kolkata, India. Read the interview here.
March 27, 2026
March 27, 2026
We celebrated our lab's second birthday with a dinner at The Lauber. From March 1, 2024 to now, we have grown a lot. Cheers to the next year!
We celebrated our lab's second birthday with a dinner at The Lauber. From March 1, 2024 to now, we have grown a lot. Cheers to the next year!
March 6, 2026
March 6, 2026
Saurja gave an invited seminar at Purdue University Fort Wayne. His talk was titled - 'Teaching RNA New Tricks'. Saurja's talk covered the lab's work on discovering new ligase ribozymes, using lab-evolved ribozymes to develop novel sequencing tools, and building sensors for heavy metal detection with fluorogenic RNA aptamers.
Saurja gave an invited seminar at Purdue University Fort Wayne. His talk was titled - 'Teaching RNA New Tricks'. Saurja's talk covered the lab's work on discovering new ligase ribozymes, using lab-evolved ribozymes to develop novel sequencing tools, and building sensors for heavy metal detection with fluorogenic RNA aptamers.
March 4, 2026
March 4, 2026
Taylor was awarded the RNA Society Presentation Fellowship to present her work on branching ligases at the RNA Society Meeting in Montreal, Canada this year. Taylor was also awarded an internal Travel Award from the Graduate SChool. Taylor and Natalie were awarded travel awards sponsored by NASA Research Coordination Network LIFE for presenting their work on ribozymes at AbSciCon 2026.
Taylor was awarded the RNA Society Presentation Fellowship to present her work on branching ligases at the RNA Society Meeting in Montreal, Canada this year. Taylor was also awarded an internal Travel Award from the Graduate SChool. Taylor and Natalie were awarded travel awards sponsored by NASA Research Coordination Network LIFE for presenting their work on ribozymes at AbSciCon 2026.
February 28, 2026
February 28, 2026
Saurja and his artist collaborator, Argha Manna's science comics exhibition - 'Cradles of Life' was hosted by Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune for National Science Day in India.
Saurja and his artist collaborator, Argha Manna's science comics exhibition - 'Cradles of Life' was hosted by Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune for National Science Day in India.
February 3, 2026
February 3, 2026
Saurja and his artist collaborator, Argha Manna's science comics exhibition - 'Cradles of Life' was hosted by St. Joe County Public Library in Downtown South Bend.
Saurja and his artist collaborator, Argha Manna's science comics exhibition - 'Cradles of Life' was hosted by St. Joe County Public Library in Downtown South Bend.
February 3, 2026
February 3, 2026
Saurja delivered a public lecture for the Our Universe Revealed series organized by the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University South Bend at St. Joe County Public Library in Downtown South Bend. His talk was titled, 'A Pilgrimage to Life's Beginnings'.
Saurja delivered a public lecture for the Our Universe Revealed series organized by the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University South Bend at St. Joe County Public Library in Downtown South Bend. His talk was titled, 'A Pilgrimage to Life's Beginnings'.
January 21, 2026
January 21, 2026
Wonderful write-up on Saurja's outreach events in India (Dec 2025), featuring public lectures, Sci-Art exhibitions, and a science journalism panel across Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune. These events were supported by Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame Mumbai.
January 20, 2026
January 20, 2026
Saurja is elected a Co-Chair/Co-Lead of the NASA - Prebiotic Chemistry and Early Earth Environments Consortium Early Career Committee.
Saurja is elected a Co-Chair/Co-Lead of the NASA - Prebiotic Chemistry and Early Earth Environments Consortium Early Career Committee.
The Prebiotic Chemistry and Early Earth Environments Consortium (PCE3) is a community of researchers striving to transform the origins of life community by breaking down language and ideological barriers and enhancing communication across the disciplinary divide between early earth geoscientists and prebiotic chemists.
January 06, 2026
January 06, 2026
Saurja gave an invited seminar titled, 'Where Did We Come From: Our Quest to Uncover Life's Origins' at St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, India.
Saurja gave an invited seminar titled, 'Where Did We Come From: Our Quest to Uncover Life's Origins' at St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, India.
2025
2025
December 17, 2025
December 17, 2025
Saurja gave an invited seminar on the lab's recent work on RNA enzymes and RNA aptamers at IISER Pune, India. Saurja's seminar was hosted by Dr. SUdha Rajamani, Dept. of Biology.
Saurja gave an invited seminar on the lab's recent work on RNA enzymes and RNA aptamers at IISER Pune, India. Saurja's seminar was hosted by Dr. SUdha Rajamani, Dept. of Biology.
December 16, 2025
December 16, 2025
Saurja and his artist collaborator, Argha Manna participated in a panel on science journalism in IISER Pune, India. This panel inaugurated the VOICE lab at IISER Pune.
Saurja and his artist collaborator, Argha Manna participated in a panel on science journalism in IISER Pune, India. This panel inaugurated the VOICE lab at IISER Pune.
December 16, 2025
December 16, 2025
Saurja and his artist collaborator, Argha Manna's science comics exhibition - 'Cradles of Life' was hosted by IISER Pune.
Saurja and his artist collaborator, Argha Manna's science comics exhibition - 'Cradles of Life' was hosted by IISER Pune.
December 14, 2025
December 14, 2025
Saurja delivered a Hesburgh Lecture, sponsored by Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame Mumbai at Sydenham College, Mumbai. His talk was titled, 'A Pilgrimage to Life's Beginnings'.
Saurja delivered a Hesburgh Lecture, sponsored by Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame Mumbai at Sydenham College, Mumbai. His talk was titled, 'A Pilgrimage to Life's Beginnings'.
December 13, 2025
December 13, 2025
The science comics exhibition - 'A Pilgrimage to Life's Beginnings' created by Saurja and cartoonist Argha Manna, Artist-In-Residence at IIT Gandhinagar, India was hosted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore in India. This exhibition has a footfall of ~300, including middle school students, undergrads, grad students, faculty, and staff.
The science comics exhibition - 'A Pilgrimage to Life's Beginnings' created by Saurja and cartoonist Argha Manna, Artist-In-Residence at IIT Gandhinagar, India was hosted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore in India. This exhibition has a footfall of ~300, including middle school students, undergrads, grad students, faculty, and staff.
December 1, 2025
December 1, 2025
Saurja was appointed as a Faculty Fellow of the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies at Notre Dame.
Saurja was appointed as a Faculty Fellow of the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies at Notre Dame.
November 17, 2025
November 17, 2025
Saurja was invited to give a 'Build-a-Cell' seminar where he shared the lab's ongoing work on using RNA to understand the origins of life, create new tools to probe RNA biology, and build a next-generation sensing platform for environmental monitoring. Hear the talk on YouTube here.
Saurja was invited to give a 'Build-a-Cell' seminar where he shared the lab's ongoing work on using RNA to understand the origins of life, create new tools to probe RNA biology, and build a next-generation sensing platform for environmental monitoring. Hear the talk on YouTube here.
November 11, 2025
November 11, 2025
Saurja gave an invited seminar at the Department of Biological Sciences at Notre Dame, where he shared the lab's ongoing work on engineering functional RNAs using evolution and intelligent design. His talk was entitled - 'Teaching RNA New Tricks'.
Saurja gave an invited seminar at the Department of Biological Sciences at Notre Dame, where he shared the lab's ongoing work on engineering functional RNAs using evolution and intelligent design. His talk was entitled - 'Teaching RNA New Tricks'.
November 7, 2025
November 7, 2025
Saurja gave a public lecture - 'How to Create Life . . . from Scratch' for Notre Dame's Science Exploration Series for Football Fridays. He spoke about the efforts of the lab and the scientific community at large to understand life's origins. See here for more details.
Saurja gave a public lecture - 'How to Create Life . . . from Scratch' for Notre Dame's Science Exploration Series for Football Fridays. He spoke about the efforts of the lab and the scientific community at large to understand life's origins. See here for more details.
November 5, 2025
November 5, 2025
Annyesha's Org. Biomol. Chem. paper on RNA-based lead sensors has been selected as the journals inside cover! The incredible cover was designed by graduate student Taylor Opolka. Congrats to both! Our Science is artistic and we've got our Art down to a science.
Annyesha's Org. Biomol. Chem. paper on RNA-based lead sensors has been selected as the journals inside cover! The incredible cover was designed by graduate student Taylor Opolka. Congrats to both! Our Science is artistic and we've got our Art down to a science.
October 31, 2025
October 31, 2025
Saurja was among the three selected Research!America Public Engagement Awardees to present their science communication project in a public panel. Read more here.
Saurja was among the three selected Research!America Public Engagement Awardees to present their science communication project in a public panel. Read more here.
October 31, 2025
October 31, 2025
Scaring is caring! Happy Halloween from the DasGupta Lab.
Scaring is caring! Happy Halloween from the DasGupta Lab.
October 16, 2025
October 16, 2025
Celebrating our newest PhD candidate, Natalie Kotlin! Natalie will study how catalytic RNAs evolve inside prebiotic goo aka coacervates.
Celebrating our newest PhD candidate, Natalie Kotlin! Natalie will study how catalytic RNAs evolve inside prebiotic goo aka coacervates.
October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025
Congrats Annyesha for winning the Fan Favorite Award at the Annual Postdoc Lightning Talk Competition organized by the College of Science. She won third place in last year’s competition presenting on a different project. It’s hard to break a habit!
Congrats Annyesha for winning the Fan Favorite Award at the Annual Postdoc Lightning Talk Competition organized by the College of Science. She won third place in last year’s competition presenting on a different project. It’s hard to break a habit!
October 3, 2025
October 3, 2025
More laurels for the DasGupta Lab. Congrats Casey for winning a best undergraduate poster award at the Midwest Enzyme Chemistry Conference on his work on new processive ligase ribozymes that function without external templates
More laurels for the DasGupta Lab. Congrats Casey for winning a best undergraduate poster award at the Midwest Enzyme Chemistry Conference on his work on new processive ligase ribozymes that function without external templates
October 1, 2025
October 1, 2025
Our lab was spotlighted by the College of Science in the second edition of its magazine 'Catalyst'. Read Saurja and Annyesha's interview and more about our research here.
Our lab was spotlighted by the College of Science in the second edition of its magazine 'Catalyst'. Read Saurja and Annyesha's interview and more about our research here.
September 18, 2025
September 18, 2025
Annyesha was the featured postdoc from the College of Science for Notre Dame's Postdoc Appreciation Week. In the last year, Annyesha has completed three manuscripts (one published), given many oral and poster presentations, won several awards, and has been a fantastic mentor to graduate students and undergrads. Annyesha - your presence in our lab is much appreciated ;)
Annyesha was the featured postdoc from the College of Science for Notre Dame's Postdoc Appreciation Week. In the last year, Annyesha has completed three manuscripts (one published), given many oral and poster presentations, won several awards, and has been a fantastic mentor to graduate students and undergrads. Annyesha - your presence in our lab is much appreciated ;)
September 10, 2025
September 10, 2025
Saurja was an invited speaker in the annual Origin of Life conference of the Origins Federation held at The University of Chicago. Saurja spoke about the lab's newly discovered ligase ribozymes. Our postdoc, Annyesha gave a short talk on new branching ligases she discovered and presented a poster on her work.
Saurja was an invited speaker in the annual Origin of Life conference of the Origins Federation held at The University of Chicago. Saurja spoke about the lab's newly discovered ligase ribozymes. Our postdoc, Annyesha gave a short talk on new branching ligases she discovered and presented a poster on her work.
September 1, 2025
September 1, 2025
The DasGupta Lab is celebrating the end of a productive summer.
The DasGupta Lab is celebrating the end of a productive summer.
August 22, 2025
August 22, 2025
Saurja delivered 'The First Lecture; to incoming undergraduates at Notre Dame. His lecture was titled: 'Where Did We Come From: A Chemist's Quest to Understand Life by Creating it from Scratch'. Read more here.
Saurja delivered 'The First Lecture; to incoming undergraduates at Notre Dame. His lecture was titled: 'Where Did We Come From: A Chemist's Quest to Understand Life by Creating it from Scratch'. Read more here.
August 14, 2025
August 14, 2025
Our collaboration with the Szostak Lab is now online! In this paper, we solve an important problem in prebiotic chemistry by demonstrating that the prebiotic substrate activation can happen in the same microenvironment that supports its utilization in nonenzymatic and ribozyme-catalyzed RNA ligation. This work presents a model of primordial RNA assembly that is more aligned to scenarios expected on the early Earth ~4 billion years ago. Read the story here.
Our collaboration with the Szostak Lab is now online! In this paper, we solve an important problem in prebiotic chemistry by demonstrating that the prebiotic substrate activation can happen in the same microenvironment that supports its utilization in nonenzymatic and ribozyme-catalyzed RNA ligation. This work presents a model of primordial RNA assembly that is more aligned to scenarios expected on the early Earth ~4 billion years ago. Read the story here.
July 23, 2025
July 23, 2025
Matt Politte presented his work on building the world's first RNA-based sensor for mercury. Matt's fluorescent sensors detects mercury as less than 1 part per billion and lights up only in the presence of mercury.
Matt Politte presented his work on building the world's first RNA-based sensor for mercury. Matt's fluorescent sensors detects mercury as less than 1 part per billion and lights up only in the presence of mercury.
Jackson Schelzig and Casey Hoffman presented their work on discovering a new class of RNA enzymes that catalyze ligation with prebiotically relevant 'phosphorimidazolide' RNA substrates. These new enzymes ligate RNA substrates without external templates, and enable sequential ligations up to 3 substrate additions, indicating the processive nature of these artificially-evolved enzymes. One of these enzymes work without Mg2+ !
Jackson Schelzig and Casey Hoffman presented their work on discovering a new class of RNA enzymes that catalyze ligation with prebiotically relevant 'phosphorimidazolide' RNA substrates. These new enzymes ligate RNA substrates without external templates, and enable sequential ligations up to 3 substrate additions, indicating the processive nature of these artificially-evolved enzymes. One of these enzymes work without Mg2+ !
July 10, 2025
July 10, 2025
The first research article from the lab is online! Annyesha created the most sensitive lead sensor using the RNA Mango aptamer, where the sensor glows green when it detects lead, and only lead. Read the story here.
The first research article from the lab is online! Annyesha created the most sensitive lead sensor using the RNA Mango aptamer, where the sensor glows green when it detects lead, and only lead. Read the story here.
July 9, 2025
July 9, 2025
Thanks to Notre Dame Global for sponsoring Saurja's Sci-Art collaboration with Argha Manna over summer. Read the story here.
Thanks to Notre Dame Global for sponsoring Saurja's Sci-Art collaboration with Argha Manna over summer. Read the story here.
July 4, 2025
July 4, 2025
Happy 4th of July from DasGupta Lab! We’re lighting up the sky with RNA fireworks and G-quartet fireflies.
Happy 4th of July from DasGupta Lab! We’re lighting up the sky with RNA fireworks and G-quartet fireflies.
June 13, 2025
June 13, 2025
Summer is here at the DasGuptaLab. The RNA is chilling, but the RNA Biochemists are hard at work!
Summer is here at the DasGuptaLab. The RNA is chilling, but the RNA Biochemists are hard at work!
June 6, 2025
June 6, 2025
Two graphic novels: 'Drawing the RNA World' and 'Cradles of Life' were launched at the Argha and Saurja's exhibition - 'A Pilgrimmage to Life's Beginning'. These are abridged versions of the book chapters in our graphoc novel of the origins of life, tentaively titled - 'How was Life born?'
Two graphic novels: 'Drawing the RNA World' and 'Cradles of Life' were launched at the Argha and Saurja's exhibition - 'A Pilgrimmage to Life's Beginning'. These are abridged versions of the book chapters in our graphoc novel of the origins of life, tentaively titled - 'How was Life born?'
June 6, 2025
June 6, 2025
Argha and Saurja's first collaborative science-art exhibition - 'A Pilgrimmage to Life's Beginning' was launched at Notre Dame's Jordan Hall of Science. The exhibition explored different facets of origins of life research using two graphic novels: 'Drawing the RNA World' and 'Cradles of Life'.
Argha and Saurja's first collaborative science-art exhibition - 'A Pilgrimmage to Life's Beginning' was launched at Notre Dame's Jordan Hall of Science. The exhibition explored different facets of origins of life research using two graphic novels: 'Drawing the RNA World' and 'Cradles of Life'.
June 5-6, 2025
June 5-6, 2025
Saurja hosted a Science Comics Workshop led by ND Global Guest Artist Argha Manna, where ~20 participants from 6 different departments/graduate programs, including 6 members of the DasGupta Lab, reimagined how to 'talk' science through art.
Saurja hosted a Science Comics Workshop led by ND Global Guest Artist Argha Manna, where ~20 participants from 6 different departments/graduate programs, including 6 members of the DasGupta Lab, reimagined how to 'talk' science through art.
June 5, 2025
June 5, 2025
The Lab Summer Dinner. We said bye to Notre Dame Global Guest Artist and our collaborator Argha Manna, who came all the way from India to spend a month on campus..
The Lab Summer Dinner. We said bye to Notre Dame Global Guest Artist and our collaborator Argha Manna, who came all the way from India to spend a month on campus..
June 3, 2025
June 3, 2025
Saurja joined Argha Manna (IIT Gandhinagar, ND Global Guest Artist) and Dan Goods (Visual Strategist at NASA JPL) for a panel at Caltech on the role of Art and Design in Science Communication.
Saurja joined Argha Manna (IIT Gandhinagar, ND Global Guest Artist) and Dan Goods (Visual Strategist at NASA JPL) for a panel at Caltech on the role of Art and Design in Science Communication.
May 31, 2025
May 31, 2025
Annyesha presented her poster on the directed evolution of ligase ribozymes at her first RNA Society Meeting, which garnered lots of interest and intrigue.
Annyesha presented her poster on the directed evolution of ligase ribozymes at her first RNA Society Meeting, which garnered lots of interest and intrigue.
May 31, 2025
May 31, 2025
Argha and Saurja's poster on the RNA World was possibly the first comics poster in the 30 years of the Annual RNA Society Meeting . This poster explored how thoughts related to RNA's roles in the origin of life evolved across decades and led to our current understanding of the RNA World.
Argha and Saurja's poster on the RNA World was possibly the first comics poster in the 30 years of the Annual RNA Society Meeting . This poster explored how thoughts related to RNA's roles in the origin of life evolved across decades and led to our current understanding of the RNA World.
May 22, 2025
May 22, 2025
Saurja was invited to serve in the NASA Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy (NASA-DARES) Task Force 1. Fifteen members of Task Force 1 (TF1) were selected from a highly competitive call which received more than 100 applications. TF1 will create the Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy, a roadmap for NASA's astrobiology missions, focusing on understanding life's origins, potential, and detection in the universe.
Saurja was invited to serve in the NASA Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy (NASA-DARES) Task Force 1. Fifteen members of Task Force 1 (TF1) were selected from a highly competitive call which received more than 100 applications. TF1 will create the Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy, a roadmap for NASA's astrobiology missions, focusing on understanding life's origins, potential, and detection in the universe.
May 20, 2025
May 20, 2025
Saurja gave a public lecture at the international Pint of Science festival titled - 'How to create life from scratch'.
Saurja gave a public lecture at the international Pint of Science festival titled - 'How to create life from scratch'.
May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
Saurja joined Argha Manna, who is the Artist-In-Residence at IIT Gandhinagar, India and the Notre Dame Global Guest Artist for 2025, and Theoretical Particle Physicist, Dr. Seth Koren for CHATS - "Culture, Humanities, and the Arts Through Science" Panel discussion at Culture Cafe in Merriman's Playhouse in Downtown South Bend. This edition of CHATS, called 'Illustrating the Origins of Life', dealt with scientific investigations into the origins of life and how Saurja and Argha are collaborating on a comic book to understand this monumental event.
Saurja joined Argha Manna, who is the Artist-In-Residence at IIT Gandhinagar, India and the Notre Dame Global Guest Artist for 2025, and Theoretical Particle Physicist, Dr. Seth Koren for CHATS - "Culture, Humanities, and the Arts Through Science" Panel discussion at Culture Cafe in Merriman's Playhouse in Downtown South Bend. This edition of CHATS, called 'Illustrating the Origins of Life', dealt with scientific investigations into the origins of life and how Saurja and Argha are collaborating on a comic book to understand this monumental event.
May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
Congrats to Postdoc Annyesha Biswas for receiving the Scientific Society of Astrobiology Travel Award to present her research on new ligase ribozymes at RNA 2025 in San Diego.
Congrats to Postdoc Annyesha Biswas for receiving the Scientific Society of Astrobiology Travel Award to present her research on new ligase ribozymes at RNA 2025 in San Diego.
May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025
The lab welcomes the summer with RNA-themed art. One molecule to rule them all!
The lab welcomes the summer with RNA-themed art. One molecule to rule them all!
April 15, 2025
April 15, 2025
Congrats to undergrads Matt Politte for receiving the Baten Family Summer Support Award from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. This award will support Matt's research on developing the first RNA-based fluorescent sensors for mercury.
Congrats to undergrads Matt Politte for receiving the Baten Family Summer Support Award from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. This award will support Matt's research on developing the first RNA-based fluorescent sensors for mercury.
April 2, 2025
April 2, 2025
The lab welcomes the stormy weather with artistic fervor (the clouds look so happy and have names!)
The lab welcomes the stormy weather with artistic fervor (the clouds look so happy and have names!)
March 31, 2025
March 31, 2025
Congrats to undergrads Matt, Casey, and Jackson for receiving the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) from the College of Science. Matt will continue his work on developing RNA-based sensors for mercury detection and Casey and Jackson will characterize RNA enzymes that join RNA pieces together without external templates. Exciting times!
Congrats to undergrads Matt, Casey, and Jackson for receiving the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) from the College of Science. Matt will continue his work on developing RNA-based sensors for mercury detection and Casey and Jackson will characterize RNA enzymes that join RNA pieces together without external templates. Exciting times!
March 20, 2025
March 20, 2025
Saurja gave a seminar talk at the Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo. He shared the lab's research into the evolution of novel ribozyme-catalyzed RNA ligation reactions
Saurja gave a seminar talk at the Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo. He shared the lab's research into the evolution of novel ribozyme-catalyzed RNA ligation reactions
February 26, 2025
February 26, 2025
Dr. Annyesha Biswas was awarded the prestigious RNA Society Presentation Fellowship to present her research on the discovery of new ribozyme-catalyzed RNA ligation reactions at the 30th Annual Meeting of the RNA Society.
Dr. Annyesha Biswas was awarded the prestigious RNA Society Presentation Fellowship to present her research on the discovery of new ribozyme-catalyzed RNA ligation reactions at the 30th Annual Meeting of the RNA Society.
February 19, 2025
February 19, 2025
Our postdoc extraordinaire, Dr. Annyesha Biswas was spotlighted by Notre Dame Science. Read what she has to say about her research here.
Our postdoc extraordinaire, Dr. Annyesha Biswas was spotlighted by Notre Dame Science. Read what she has to say about her research here.
February 14, 2025
February 14, 2025
Our postdoc, Dr. Annyesha Biswas won the Bioengineering and Life Sciences Supplemental Professional Development Award. Read mote about the award here.
Our postdoc, Dr. Annyesha Biswas won the Bioengineering and Life Sciences Supplemental Professional Development Award. Read mote about the award here.
February 14, 2025
February 14, 2025
Love is a 4-letter word here in our lab. The letters are A, U, G, and C. Happy Valentine's Day!
Love is a 4-letter word here in our lab. The letters are A, U, G, and C. Happy Valentine's Day!
January 14, 2025
January 14, 2025
The lab got its second award from Notre Dame Global ! With the South Asia Research Development Grant, we will collaborate with Computational Biophysicist Anand Srivastava (Indian Institute of Science, India) to investigate how interactions between RNA and lipids could have led to the origin of cellular life.
The lab got its second award from Notre Dame Global ! With the South Asia Research Development Grant, we will collaborate with Computational Biophysicist Anand Srivastava (Indian Institute of Science, India) to investigate how interactions between RNA and lipids could have led to the origin of cellular life.
January 03, 2025
January 03, 2025
Saurja was the inaugural speaker at the Curiosity Collaboratory Lecture Series hosted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar. He spoke about how human thought about life's origins has evolved across millennia and how scientists today are trying to crack the problem of the origins of life.
Saurja was the inaugural speaker at the Curiosity Collaboratory Lecture Series hosted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar. He spoke about how human thought about life's origins has evolved across millennia and how scientists today are trying to crack the problem of the origins of life.
January 01, 2025
January 01, 2025
Wishing you a Happy New Year from the DasGupta Lab. We are excited about what 2025 will bring.
Wishing you a Happy New Year from the DasGupta Lab. We are excited about what 2025 will bring.
We also welcome Natalie Kotlin as the second PhD student of lab. All the best, Natalie - we are cheering for you.
We also welcome Natalie Kotlin as the second PhD student of lab. All the best, Natalie - we are cheering for you.
2024
2024
December 27, 2024
December 27, 2024
Saurja was an invited speaker at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, one of the oldest research institutes in India. He shared the lab's research toward reconstructing RNA-based life and recent discoveries of novel ligase ribozyme reactivities.
Saurja was an invited speaker at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, one of the oldest research institutes in India. He shared the lab's research toward reconstructing RNA-based life and recent discoveries of novel ligase ribozyme reactivities.
December 25, 2024
December 25, 2024
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the DasGupta Lab.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the DasGupta Lab.
December 13, 2024
December 13, 2024
Another feather in the cap for our postdoc extraordinaire, Dr. Annyesha Biswas! Annyesha was selected to present her research on discovering new ligase ribozymes at the College of Science and Engineering Research Horizons Symposium at Notre Dame. She gave a fantastic talk and won the best poster award to boot!
Another feather in the cap for our postdoc extraordinaire, Dr. Annyesha Biswas! Annyesha was selected to present her research on discovering new ligase ribozymes at the College of Science and Engineering Research Horizons Symposium at Notre Dame. She gave a fantastic talk and won the best poster award to boot!
December 6-7, 2024
December 6-7, 2024
Saurja attended the second 'Organs and Origins' Conference titled: "In the Beginning: Life, the Universe, and Everything"
Saurja attended the second 'Organs and Origins' Conference titled: "In the Beginning: Life, the Universe, and Everything"
Saurja was awarded a faculty fellowship funded by the John Templeton Foundation.
Saurja was awarded a faculty fellowship funded by the John Templeton Foundation.
November 19, 2024
November 19, 2024
Saurja was an invited speaker at the Michiana Science Cafe (at Chicory Cafe in Downtown South Bend) organized by the Science Policy Initiative. Saurja spoke about how scientists are trying to solve the mysteries of the origin of life and how humans have grappled with this question since the very beginning.
Saurja was an invited speaker at the Michiana Science Cafe (at Chicory Cafe in Downtown South Bend) organized by the Science Policy Initiative. Saurja spoke about how scientists are trying to solve the mysteries of the origin of life and how humans have grappled with this question since the very beginning.
November 28, 2024
November 28, 2024
A very happy Thanksgiving from the DasGupta Lab! Thanks to Taylor for the artwork
A very happy Thanksgiving from the DasGupta Lab! Thanks to Taylor for the artwork
October 31, 2024
October 31, 2024
The lab celebrates our first Lab-o-Ween! Thanks to our resident artist Taylor for starting this wonderful artistic tradition.
The lab celebrates our first Lab-o-Ween! Thanks to our resident artist Taylor for starting this wonderful artistic tradition.
October 28, 2024
October 28, 2024
We welcome Casey Hoffman as an undergraduate researcher in the lab. Casey will join Jackson on the characterization of newly-discovered ligase ribozymes.
We welcome Casey Hoffman as an undergraduate researcher in the lab. Casey will join Jackson on the characterization of newly-discovered ligase ribozymes.
October 26, 2024
October 26, 2024
Saurja presented a talk and Annyesha presented a poster.
Saurja presented a talk and Annyesha presented a poster.
October 28, 2024
October 28, 2024
Fisrt year graduate student Brandon Matos (Organic) starts his rotation in the lab. All the best, Brandon!
Fisrt year graduate student Brandon Matos (Organic) starts his rotation in the lab. All the best, Brandon!
October 24, 2024
October 24, 2024
Saurja was a guest speaker at Notre Dame's Biophysics Graduate Retreat. He shared the lab's research on recreating RNA-based biochemistry and recent discoveries of novel ligase ribozyme reactivities.
Saurja was a guest speaker at Notre Dame's Biophysics Graduate Retreat. He shared the lab's research on recreating RNA-based biochemistry and recent discoveries of novel ligase ribozyme reactivities.
October 11, 2024
October 11, 2024
Taylor passed her Oral Candidacy Exam.
Taylor passed her Oral Candidacy Exam.
She has swiftly entered her 'Ph.D. Candidate' Era.
She has swiftly entered her 'Ph.D. Candidate' Era.
Onwards and Upwards!
Onwards and Upwards!
October 5, 2024
October 5, 2024
Saurja was a panelist in a Science Writing Panel at STEMPeers-Chicago. Saurja represented Club SciWri, a popular science publication. Please reach out to Saurja if you want to know more about the DasGupta Lab's science communication initiatives.
Saurja was a panelist in a Science Writing Panel at STEMPeers-Chicago. Saurja represented Club SciWri, a popular science publication. Please reach out to Saurja if you want to know more about the DasGupta Lab's science communication initiatives.
September 25, 2024
September 25, 2024
Taylor was a guest speaker at her alma mater - Davenport University, where she shared her love for scientific research and the various academic opportunities available after graduating from college with the students of the Biological Laboratory Science (BLS) program.
Taylor was a guest speaker at her alma mater - Davenport University, where she shared her love for scientific research and the various academic opportunities available after graduating from college with the students of the Biological Laboratory Science (BLS) program.
September 19, 2024
September 19, 2024
Her presentation was entitled: 'Get the Lead Out – Seeing Lead with RNA Sensors'. Thanks to Annyesha for getting the lab our very first award.
Her presentation was entitled: 'Get the Lead Out – Seeing Lead with RNA Sensors'. Thanks to Annyesha for getting the lab our very first award.
September 14, 2024
September 14, 2024
Our lab's research on the Origins of Life was spotlighted in 'Scientia' - Notre Dame's Undergraduate Journal of Scientific Research. Read the story on Page 19 of the Spring edition of Scientia here.
Our lab's research on the Origins of Life was spotlighted in 'Scientia' - Notre Dame's Undergraduate Journal of Scientific Research. Read the story on Page 19 of the Spring edition of Scientia here.
September 13, 2024
September 13, 2024
New paper! This paper demonstrates that an RNA enzyme that catalyzes RNA ligation with prebiotically relevant RNA substrates can evolve an entirely new structure to catalyze RNA ligation with RNA substrates activated with the biological triphosphate group. This transition foreshadows the emergence of protein-based enzymes that make RNA using triphosphate building blocks (NTPs). Read the paper here.
New paper! This paper demonstrates that an RNA enzyme that catalyzes RNA ligation with prebiotically relevant RNA substrates can evolve an entirely new structure to catalyze RNA ligation with RNA substrates activated with the biological triphosphate group. This transition foreshadows the emergence of protein-based enzymes that make RNA using triphosphate building blocks (NTPs). Read the paper here.
September 12, 2024
September 12, 2024
The lab got its first award! With support from the Notre Dame Global Asia Artist Partnership Program, we will work with graphic artist Argha Manna (IIT Gandhinagar, India) to create a first-of-it's kind comic book on the Origins of Life.
The lab got its first award! With support from the Notre Dame Global Asia Artist Partnership Program, we will work with graphic artist Argha Manna (IIT Gandhinagar, India) to create a first-of-it's kind comic book on the Origins of Life.
September 2, 2024
September 2, 2024
The lab welcomes first-year graduate students Naomi Ross (Biophysics) and Natalie Kotlin (Organic Chemistry) as the first rotation students of this academic year. We also welcome Biochemistry major, Jackson Schelzig as an undergraduate researcher in the lab. Jackson will work on the characterization of newly-discovered ligase ribozymes.
The lab welcomes first-year graduate students Naomi Ross (Biophysics) and Natalie Kotlin (Organic Chemistry) as the first rotation students of this academic year. We also welcome Biochemistry major, Jackson Schelzig as an undergraduate researcher in the lab. Jackson will work on the characterization of newly-discovered ligase ribozymes.
All the best!
All the best!
August 26, 2024
August 26, 2024
The lab's first review article is published in WIREs RNA!
The lab's first review article is published in WIREs RNA!
"Synthetic antibodies for accelerated RNA crystallography." See here.
July 9, 2024
July 9, 2024
We had our first group meeting, where postdoc Annyesha presented her PhD research and recent results in our lab.
We had our first group meeting, where postdoc Annyesha presented her PhD research and recent results in our lab.
We hope this is the start of something great!
We hope this is the start of something great!
June 10-14, 2024
June 10-14, 2024
Taylor attended AbGradCon (the largest Astrobiology conference for students) at Cornell. She presented a poster on her work on the importance of bifunctional RNA enzymes on primordial enzyme evolution.
Taylor attended AbGradCon (the largest Astrobiology conference for students) at Cornell. She presented a poster on her work on the importance of bifunctional RNA enzymes on primordial enzyme evolution.
The first of many for Taylor!
The first of many for Taylor!
June 7, 2024
June 7, 2024
We had our Lab Warming party.
We had our Lab Warming party.
Great job, Taylor, for putting everything together!
Great job, Taylor, for putting everything together!
June, 2024
June, 2024
High schoolers Areej Arif, Ishita Aswasthi, and Jenny Yang join the lab for a month-long summer internship. They will be developing heavy-metal sensors using RNA aptamers
High schoolers Areej Arif, Ishita Aswasthi, and Jenny Yang join the lab for a month-long summer internship. They will be developing heavy-metal sensors using RNA aptamers
May 13-14, 2024
May 13-14, 2024
Saurja was an invited speaker at the University of Notre Dame Annual Biochemistry/IBMS retreat.
Saurja was an invited speaker at the University of Notre Dame Annual Biochemistry/IBMS retreat.
His talk was entitled "How to create life...from scratch"
His talk was entitled "How to create life...from scratch"
Matt Politte
Drew Baranko
April 26, 2024
April 26, 2024
The lab welcomes undergraduate students Matthew Politte (Organic Chemistry major) and Andrew Baranko (Biochemistry major).
The lab welcomes undergraduate students Matthew Politte (Organic Chemistry major) and Andrew Baranko (Biochemistry major).
Matt and Drew will develop RNA aptamer-based biosensors.
Matt and Drew will develop RNA aptamer-based biosensors.
April 5-6, 2024
April 5-6, 2024
Taylor and Saurja attended the inaugural 'Organs and Origins' Conference titled: "What is an Organ?"
Taylor and Saurja attended the inaugural 'Organs and Origins' Conference titled: "What is an Organ?"
Taylor and Saurja were awarded fellowships funded by the John Templeton Foundation.
Taylor and Saurja were awarded fellowships funded by the John Templeton Foundation.
March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024
Our collaborative paper was published in PNAS Nexus.
Our collaborative paper was published in PNAS Nexus.
In this paper, we explored environments that would have been conducive to the emergence of cellular life on the Earth. We showed that natural soda lake water could provide a suitable environment for three processes likely important for the origin of cellular life: nonenzymatic RNA polymerization, ribozyme activity, and encapsulation by prebiotic membranes. Read the paper here.
In this paper, we explored environments that would have been conducive to the emergence of cellular life on the Earth. We showed that natural soda lake water could provide a suitable environment for three processes likely important for the origin of cellular life: nonenzymatic RNA polymerization, ribozyme activity, and encapsulation by prebiotic membranes. Read the paper here.
March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024
Taylor Opolka joins the lab as its first graduate student.
Taylor Opolka joins the lab as its first graduate student.
Taylor joined us from Davenport University, where she was a star basketball player.
Taylor joined us from Davenport University, where she was a star basketball player.
She will investigate the molecular principles underlying RNA evolution. Welcome to the RNA World, Taylor!
She will investigate the molecular principles underlying RNA evolution. Welcome to the RNA World, Taylor!
March 1, 2024
March 1, 2024
We did our first experiment!
We did our first experiment!
That's one small step for a new lab...
That's one small step for a new lab...
December 8, 2023
December 8, 2023
Saurja was an invited speaker at the Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). He spoke about his efforts to create RNA-based life in the lab.
Saurja was an invited speaker at the Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). He spoke about his efforts to create RNA-based life in the lab.
September 14, 2023
September 14, 2023
The title of his talk was: "Primordial RNA assembly: Chemistry, Catalysis, and Compartmentalization."
The title of his talk was: "Primordial RNA assembly: Chemistry, Catalysis, and Compartmentalization."
August 2, 2023
August 2, 2023
The title of his talk was: "Primordial RNA assembly: Chemistry, Catalysis, and Compartmentalization."
The title of his talk was: "Primordial RNA assembly: Chemistry, Catalysis, and Compartmentalization."
June 30, 2023
June 30, 2023
New paper out in Chemistry - A European Journal !
New paper out in Chemistry - A European Journal !
We establish the first instance of RNA-catalyzed RNA assembly within prebiotically relevant fatty acid protocells.
We establish the first instance of RNA-catalyzed RNA assembly within prebiotically relevant fatty acid protocells.
June 29, 2023
June 29, 2023
Zoe is currently a post-baccalaureate researcher in Dr. Francis Collins' lab at NIH.
Zoe is currently a post-baccalaureate researcher in Dr. Francis Collins' lab at NIH.
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