John Chaput

John Chaput is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on chemical biology, synthetic nucleic acids, and biomolecular engineering. He leads efforts to design novel genetic polymers like XNA (xeno-nucleic acid) and TNA (threose nucleic acid), exploring their applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and synthetic biology. Chaput’s work emphasizes functional nucleic acid engineering, including the development of XNAzymes for gene silencing and diagnostic systems. His lab employs directed evolution, microfluidics, and structural biology techniques to enhance polymerase efficiency and nucleic acid stability.

Key areas of innovation include the REVEALR diagnostic platform for rapid pathogen detection, advances in TNA polymerase evolution, and the synthesis of stable nucleic acid analogs resistant to biological degradation. Chaput’s research bridges organic chemistry, enzymology, and molecular biology, with implications for drug delivery, genetic engineering, and understanding fundamental replication mechanisms.

His contributions span over 150 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work highlighting nucleic acid therapeutics, cross-species genetic systems, and the structural basis of DNA replication. Chaput collaborates with industry partners to translate lab discoveries into clinical diagnostics and therapies.