Aaron E Engelhart

Aaron E Engelhart is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, affiliated with the Genetics, Cell Biology and Development department. His research spans RNA biochemistry, molecular evolution, and synthetic biology with applications in cancer mechanisms and prebiotic chemistry.

• RNA visualization and functional RNA engineering
• G-quadruplex interactions in mRNA
• Prebiotic environments on Mars and exoplanets
• Artificial cell systems for molecular exchange

Current projects include:

• NIH-funded RNA visualization tools
• NSF CAREER grant on nucleic acid catalysis
• Mars brine studies with Research Corporation
• Exoplanet habitability metrics via DNA damage

Engelhart leads interdisciplinary collaborations in synthetic biology and extraterrestrial biochemistry, with over 40 research outputs and partnerships in cell-free systems, ribozyme engineering, and astrobiological applications.