Matthew Disney

Matthew Disney is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Scripps Research with a distinguished career in RNA-targeted drug discovery. His laboratory has pioneered approaches to design selective therapeutics directly from genome sequence, bridging chemoinformatics and RNA structural biology to develop precision medicines for challenging diseases.

Dr. Disney's research interests center on RNA-targeted therapeutics, focusing on developing rational approaches to design small molecules that selectively target disease-causing RNAs. His work spans multiple disease areas including neuromuscular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, ALS), difficult-to-treat cancers (breast, pancreatic, prostate), and infectious diseases. He has developed the proprietary Inforna platform that merges chemoinformatics and RNA structure to identify lead compounds targeting disease-associated RNAs, and has pioneered RIBOTACs (Ribonuclease-Targeting Chimeras) technology for catalytic RNA degradation.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on covalent RNA targeting, transcriptome-wide binding site mapping, and the development of orally bioavailable compounds for neurological disorders. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in RNA-targeted drug design, with emphasis on selectivity, potency, and clinical translation.

• ACS 2022 Nobel Laureate Signature Award for Graduate Education in Chemistry
• Raymond and Beverly Sackler International Prize in Chemistry (2019)
• NIH Director's Pioneer Award (2015)
• Tetrahedron Young Investigator Award in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry (2016)
• Eli Lilly Award in Biological Chemistry (2013)

Dr. Disney's research is supported by numerous active grants from NIH, foundations including the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, and industry partners like AstraZeneca and Astellas Pharma. His laboratory trains the next generation of scientists in RNA-targeted drug discovery while advancing multiple therapeutic candidates toward clinical development. Current research includes the Druggable Transcriptome Project, which aims to systematically identify and target disease-relevant RNAs across the human transcriptome.