Ahead of her upcoming panel appearance at SynBioBeta 2025 in San Jose, Jessica Baker Flechtner, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at DoriNano, shared with us an exclusive preview into the transformative work her company is leading in the rapidly evolving field of synthetic biology.

DoriNano is building a DNA origami platform—folding DNA into 3D shapes to create tiny, programmable particles. They self-assemble by combining long, non-coding DNA strands with short, computer-designed “staple” strands. These particles can carry molecular cargo arranged with precise spacing and numbers to improve how they work in the body. 

DoriNano’s lead product is a cancer immunotherapy, based on foundational research showing that precisely controlling the spacing of immune-activating molecules on DNA origami nanoparticles can generate stronger immune responses than existing comparators, including FDA-approved mRNA vaccines. Beyond immunotherapy, DoriNano is also planning to advance this platform to deliver personalized and nucleic acid-based medicines.

Initially organized as DoriVac, the company was ultimately founded by CEO Claire Zeng under the name DoriNano. The rebranding marks a shift from a vaccine-focused concept to a broader innovation platform centered on DNA origami nanoparticles for precise therapeutic delivery. As Flechtner notes, this strategic evolution reflects a deeper ambition: to harness the full potential of synthetic biology to address complex medical challenges.

“The change from DoriVac to DoriNano signifies our transition into a broader field of therapeutic possibilities," Flechtner explains. "DNA origami allows us to precisely arrange therapeutic molecules—such as proteins or RNA—at the nanoscale, unlocking entirely new ways to influence biological responses.”

Indeed, DNA origami—once known in academic circles for whimsical designs like smiley faces—has evolved into a powerful platform for targeted therapeutic delivery. The concept was introduced by Nadrian Seeman in the 1980s, pioneered by Paul Rothemund at Caltech and further advanced through tools like caDNAno, developed by Shawn Douglas in the lab of William Shih, co-founder of DoriNano, at Harvard’s Wyss Institute. Shih is also widely recognized for advancing DNA origami from 2D to 3D structures. Despite its promise, the field has long faced challenges such as high production costs and limited applicability. DoriNano is now tackling these issues through innovations in chemical linkage technology, synthetic biology, efficient delivery systems, and scalable, cost-effective manufacturing.

But Flechtner sees the current state as just the beginning of a new era. “In a 2016 Alan Brown article, Paul Rothemund reminded us that synthetic biology was imagined decades ago in fiction—like Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age—which envisioned CAD tools for building nanomachines,” she reflects. “We’re now finally seeing broad innovation catch up to these visionary concepts.”

A key element of this advancement, according to Flechtner, is identifying the optimal combination of therapeutic cargos to maximize efficacy. “The power of our platform is its modularity—we can conjugate peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and other molecules in a highly controlled manner,” she explains. Looking to the future, artificial intelligence may play an important role in optimizing these combinations. While she’s careful to avoid framing AI as just another tech buzzword, Flechtner underscores its potential when used judiciously. “We already use computer-designed oligos to ensure our DNA origami folds correctly. With sufficient data to properly train AI, this process could accelerate significantly—enabling us to render more complex structures and precisely position therapeutic payloads to achieve the desired biological outcomes.” Still, she adds a note of caution: “We must be mindful of the ‘garbage in, garbage out’ problem—AI is only as good as the data and intent behind it.”

Flechtner believes one of the biggest hurdles facing synthetic biology companies like hers is communicating complex innovations clearly and persuasively to broader audiences, especially when securing investor support. Yet, she sees this challenge as equally a profound opportunity. “As pioneers, we have the unique privilege—and responsibility—of not just inventing technologies but also shaping the regulatory pathways that will enable their widespread adoption,” she states.

For Flechtner, the key to success in the rapidly shifting landscape of synthetic biology innovation comes down to adaptability. "Strategic shifts happen constantly in a startup environment, and flexibility is essential. It’s crucial to remain open to new leads that can significantly change your trajectory,” she adds.

As she prepares for SynBioBeta, Flechtner hopes her audience comes away with a renewed sense of the immense possibilities—and responsibilities—that accompany innovation at the forefront of biology. “Synthetic biology is at a transformative moment,” she concludes, “and our aim at DoriNano is to ensure that the promise of precision therapeutics becomes a tangible reality.”