Who We Are
The Therapeutic Innovation Center (THINC) at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is a strategic research center that seeks to discover fundamental mechanisms of RNA biology and to translate these discoveries into early therapeutic development. THINC Faculty and the THINC Therapeutic Initiative labs are clustered close together, enabling an environment that promotes collaborative, cutting-edge, and multidisciplinary research. By further bringing together a broad set of colleagues focused on RNA and drug discovery from across BCM and the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest biomedical research complex, THINC aims to leverage our collective expertise to create a truly impactful and unique RNA center.
THINC Faculty are leaders in RNA biology and run multi-disciplinary research teams focused on interrogating RNA localization, quantifying RNA structure and dynamics, defining the structure and function of RNA editing enzymes, revealing RNA binding protein interaction networks, identifying non-canonical RNAs and new modes of gene regulation, discovering how cancers dysregulate RNA splicing and are vulnerable to next-gen therapeutics, and developing new approaches to therapeutically target RNA processing.
Our collective expertise includes RNA biochemistry, genomics, cell biology, chemical probing, computational biology, high-resolution structural biology, high-throughput screening, and disease modeling. Additionally, many labs have a strong focus on developing and implementing new technological innovations.
See our publications to learn more.
Our labs are well supported thanks to generous funding from CPRIT, NIH (NIGMS, NCI, NHGRI, NIEHS), private foundations, industry, and BCM.
Community Engagement
THINC-sponsored events include bi-weekly RNA Group meetings that feature talks from trainees at BCM and nearby institutions, seminars from leading researchers, and ample networking events.
Training and Education
Beyond pushing the boundaries of knowledge, THINC is equally dedicated to the training of the next generation of RNA and therapeutic researchers. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to our mission, and we embrace being part of Houston, the most diverse city in America. We recognize the historic inequities that have existed in science and are committed to recruiting, training, and promoting colleagues that reflect the diversity of society. We further aim to cultivate an environment and provide the resources for all trainees, staff, and faculty to reach their fullest potential.
THINC Faculty participate in multiple Ph.D. programs to provide a wide network for our trainees and ensure all the resources of BCM are open to them.
Ph.D. Programs
Chemical, Physical & Structural Biology
Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics
Quantitative & Computational Biosciences
Postdoctoral Training
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Opportunities for Undergraduates & High School Students