Laura Amaya

Jun 6, 2024 | cell.com | Laura Amaya

We talk to first author Laura Amaya about her paper “Pathways for macrophage uptake of cell-free circular RNAs” (in this issue of Molecular Cell), her path to becoming a scientist, and some of the lessons she’s learned along the way. Main textLaura Amaya (L.A.): I was born and raised in Mexico, where my fascination with science started in primary school.

May 17, 2024 | cell.com | Byzova T.V |Laura Amaya |Brian T. Abe |Jie Liu

Highlights•Extracellular circRNA is internalized by select immune cells in an active process•CircRNA uptake can lead to translation and antigen presentation•CircRNA internalization induces macrophage activation and distinct gene expression•CRISPR screen identifies MSR1 receptor-mediated phagocytosis and macropinocytosisSummaryCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable RNAs present in cell-free RNA, which may comprise cellular debris and pathogen genomes.

Nov 1, 2023 | nature.com | Zhijian Li |Laura Amaya |Ruoxi Pi |Sean Wang |Alok Ranjan |Robert M. Waymouth | +2 more

AbstractThe introduction of more effective and selective mRNA delivery systems is required for the advancement of many emerging biomedical technologies including the development of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, immunotherapies for cancer and strategies for genome editing. While polymers and oligomers have served as promising mRNA delivery systems, their efficacy in hard-to-transfect cells such as primary T lymphocytes is often limited as is their cell and organ tropism.