Peter Beal

Peter Beal is a Professor in the Chemical Biology Program at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on using synthetic chemistry to study RNA structure, function, and therapeutic applications. Key areas include RNA editing by ADAR enzymes and RNA interference via siRNA modifications. He leads the Beal Lab and collaborates extensively with structural biologists like Andrew Fisher.

• Appointed UC Davis faculty in 2006
• NIH T32 Training Grant Program Director (2015)
• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2012)

Research interests:
- Designing nucleoside analogs to interrogate RNA biology
- Developing siRNA-based therapeutics with reduced immunogenicity
- Elucidating ADAR2's mechanism and site selectivity through structural studies
- Creating tools to modulate RNA editing in living cells

His NIH-funded projects investigate RNA editing's role in disease and siRNA optimization for clinical use. Recent work includes fluorescent adenosine analogs for real-time editing monitoring and computational screening of siRNA modifiers.

• Scientific awards: Camille Dreyfus Teacher Scholar (2000), Robert Parry Teaching Award (2005)

Grants: Active NIH grants for RNA editing studies and siRNA development. Collaborates with industry on therapeutic siRNA candidates.

Labs/Teams: Beal Lab focuses on chemical biology approaches to RNA biology. Active in the UC Davis Chemical Biology Program.