John Rinn

  • Professor
  • Leslie Orgel Professor of RNA Science
  • BIOCHEMISTRY

Our research bridges computational and experimental sciences to discover how RNA plays crucial roles across the human genome. We have discovered that RNA is required for numerous biological processes ranging from viability, fertility and development. We continually strive to bridge the computational and experimental sciences to discover new RNA genes such as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA). This includes single-molecule RNA imaging, RNA-sequencing, Single Cell RNA-sequencing, and CRISPR-Display of RNA. Our multifaceted and cross-disciplinary approach has demonstrated the central role of RNA in nearly every biological system we have investigated. 

Currently, we are harnessing the power of RNA and lncRNA to develop novel RNA therapeutics that could cure numerous human diseases. In fact, our research just launched a new biotech company called LincSWITCH. LincSWITCH aims to be a leader in new modalities of using lncRNA to "fix" disease genes. Learn more about LincSWITCH and our team at: https://www.lincswitch.com/team. 

Latest Publications on Google Scholar

Our teaching of Biochemistry Undergraduate and Graduate Students aims to enable all students to perform bioinformatic and data science analyses on ever emerging forms of genome-wide data such as RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq.

Latest Teaching

  • 2020 - Web of Science top 1% most influential scientists in the world over the past decade.
  • 2016 - HHMI Faculty Scholars 2014 - Thompson Reuters Most Influential Scientist
  • 2014 - National Academy of Science Distinctive Voices
  • 2014 - National Academy of Science Sackler Colloquium
  • 2013 - Alvin and Esta Starr Associate Professorship
  • 2012 - PopTech Science Fellow
  • 2010 - Merkin Next Generation Fellow
  • 2009 - Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation
  • 2009 - NIH Innovator
  • 2009 - Popular Science Magazine’s “Brilliant 10”
  • 2008 - Smith Family Foundation Fellowship
  • 2005 - Damon Runyon Cancer Foundation Fellowship
  • 2004 - Yale University School of Arts and Sciences Commencement Marshall
  • 2003 - McDougal Fellowship, Yale University, for Professional Development.
  • 2002 - AAAS Biovision Fellowship.
  • 1999 - Department of Chemistry Honors : Awarded to top 10 chemistry graduates.
  • 1999 - Casmir Illunda Award : best senior thesis research and presentation.