Joshua Rosenthal

Joshua Rosenthal is a Senior Scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), affiliated with the University of Chicago. His research focuses on RNA editing, molecular biology, and neurobiology, particularly processes that modify genetic information in nucleic acids. He leads the Rosenthal Lab and is at the forefront of developing genetically tractable cephalopod models using CRISPR technology.

• Educational Background
  • Biology B.A., Haverford College
  • Biology Ph.D., Stanford University

Dr. Rosenthal's work centers on A-to-I RNA editing via ADAR enzymes, a mechanism that allows precise single-base modifications in mRNA. His lab discovered unprecedented levels of mRNA recoding in cephalopods, exploring how environmental cues influence editing and how this could be harnessed for human therapeutics.

The Rosenthal Lab develops site-directed RNA editing platforms to correct genetic mutations in diseases like cystic fibrosis, chronic pain, and cancer. They co-founded Korro Bio, a Cambridge MA-based biotech company commercializing RNA editing therapies. The lab also investigates structural and functional connectivity of squid chromatophores, revealing novel chromogenic behaviors in open-ocean species.

Scientific contributions include 11 recent publications on RNA editing mechanisms, cephalopod genetics, and therapeutic applications. Research spans transcriptome plasticity, enzyme targeting, and marine organism adaptation.