Dr Emma Watson Awarded 2025 DECRA for Nucleic Acid-Based Molecular Circuitry

Congratulations to Dr Emma Watson on receiving the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), with funding totaling $483,591. This award will support her innovative project, "Nucleic Acid-Based Molecular Circuitry to Control Biological Processes," which aims to advance the field of biosensing and molecular control.

There is a growing need for more precise tools to control biological processes, especially in biotechnology, drug development, and fundamental biology. Current technologies often fall short in delivering the exact control needed to detect and manage complex biological activities, limiting their effectiveness in critical applications such as real-time molecular sensing and targeted drug delivery.

Dr Emma Watson’s project will develop new molecular circuits that mimic the natural processes within cells, using advanced organic chemical synthesis to create designer circuits based on synthetic nucleic acids. These circuits will be programmed to sense specific signals and release functional molecules only when needed, enabling unparalleled precision in controlling biological processes.

The project will produce two key molecular circuitry modules: one that allows for precise light-dependent control, and another that can operate in tissues where light cannot reach. These innovations promise to revolutionise how we detect and manipulate biological systems, with significant benefits for biotechnology, fundamental research, and healthcare. The outcomes will enhance Australia’s capacity in cutting-edge biosensing and control, driving progress across multiple sectors.