معرفی
Danith Ly is a Professor of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University and Founding Director of the Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery (IBD). She holds a courtesy appointment as Professor in the University of Pittsburgh's Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology program. Her research focuses on designing molecular tools for gene regulation, cellular delivery, and protein engineering, with applications in cancer therapy, stem cell biology, and genetic disease correction.
Ly earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology (1999), followed by postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley (1999–2000) and The Scripps Research Institute (2000–2001). She has pioneered γ-peptide nucleic acid (γPNA) technology, enabling precise gene editing and diagnostic tools. Her work intersects bioorganic chemistry, molecular self-assembly, and translational medicine.
Ly’s research group has developed γPNA-based therapies for β-thalassemia and cancer, leveraging nanoparticle delivery systems. Recent studies highlight in vivo gene editing successes and high-affinity nucleic acid probes for telomere analysis. She co-founded NeuBase Therapeutics (2018), ChiraGen (2017), and PNA Innovations (2009), translating academic discoveries into clinical applications.
- Awards: Julius Ashkin Teaching Award (2012), Innovative Research Award (2002), National Institute of Aging Emerging Researcher (2000)
- Leadership Roles: Director of IBD, Principle Investigator at CNAST and MBIC, SPORE Program affiliation
Her lab’s innovations span γPNA synthesis, molecular diagnostics, and therapeutic PNA oligomers, with a focus on overcoming genetic disorders and cancer through precision medicine.
