Amid rising concerns over the surge in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and rare genetic diseases, internationally trained molecular biologist and researcher Mustapha Olatunji has urged the Nigerian government to prioritise RNA-based therapeutics as an innovative approach to disease treatment. Olatunji is a doctoral researcher at Florida International University and a leading expert in molecular biology and biochemistry, with a speciality in RNA Biology. His groundbreaking research on RNA-guided DNA repair mechanisms has received international acclaim, with citations by scientists globally.
Explaining the role of RNA in genome stability, Olatunji highlighted that, for years, scientists believed that RNA’s primary function was to carry genetic instructions from DNA to build proteins. However, recent discoveries, including his own, have found that RNA could have more functions than that and be the unsung hero in maintaining genome integrity and directing DNA repair. His research, published in the high-impact journal Nucleic Acids Research, demonstrates how RNA-guided base excision repair can facilitate DNA damage correction.
“This discovery unveils a previously unknown RNA-guided pathway for DNA repair, which could serve as a foundation for developing next-generation gene therapies,” he stated. “We found that translesion DNA polymerases are capable of performing RNA-guided DNA synthesis, a finding with significant implications for treating genetic disorders and cancer.”
He further described the crucial role RNA plays in DNA damage repair by providing structural support, guiding repair proteins, and regulating repair processes. “While DNA damage response RNAs (DDRNAs) actively assist in directing repair proteins to damaged DNA strands, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) function as scaffolds, ensuring that repair complexes form efficiently. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) regulate excessive repair signalling and prevent further genomic disruptions,” he explained.
Given these advancements, Olatunji has emphasised the urgent need for the Nigerian government’s investment in RNA research to advance the medical sector, stressing that RNA-based therapy is the future of medicine. “If we fail to invest in RNA-based therapeutics, we will fall behind in global biomedical innovations,” he warned. “Leading nations are already channelling billions into RNA-guided therapies for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and other genetic disorders. Nigeria must position itself at the forefront of this scientific revolution.” He called for academic institutions to incorporate RNA biology into their curricula, alongside bioinformatics and molecular dynamics simulations, to equip the next generation of researchers with cutting-edge expertise.
Olatunji also underscored the need to bridge the gap between policymakers and scientists. He stressed that scientific breakthroughs would have limited impact unless there is strong collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and even the private sector. “We need an ecosystem that supports scientific research, establishes regulatory policies for RNA-based therapies, and encourages biotechnology startups to develop innovative treatment solutions,” he said.
Recognised as a foremost expert in DNA and RNA repair mechanisms as well as RNA and gene therapy, Olatunji has received multiple international awards, including the prestigious American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Researcher Award. His research contributions are not only pushing the frontiers of genomic medicine but have also gained international recognition among molecular biology experts.
As the global scientific community continues to explore the therapeutic potential of RNA, Olatunji remains optimistic about the transformative possibilities of RNA-guided DNA repair. “The applications are vast, from personalised medicine to novel disease treatments. If properly harnessed, RNA-guided repair could revolutionise the way we treat genetic diseases worldwide,” he concluded. While it remains uncertain whether Nigerian policymakers will take immediate action, the growing body of research—like Olatunji’s—provides a solid scientific foundation for RNA-based medical innovations.
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