Sabah Oney

My name is Sabah Oney and I am 5th year PhD candidate in the University Program in Genetics and Genomics. The overall goal my main project is the development of RNA aptamers as safe antithrombotic drugs to prevent heart attack and stroke.

Excessive accumulation of platelets at sites of atherosclerotic plaque is an essential aspect of thrombus formation, which in turn is responsible for the development of acute ischemic syndromes like cerebral and coronary thrombosis. Over the past decade, a number of antiplatelet drugs have emerged as more and more information about platelet biology revealed novel targets for inhibition. Despite the progress that has been made in antiplatelet therapy, there is still a largely unmet clinical need for more effective treatments.

We have discovered an antidote controlled anti-platelet drug using RNA ligands (aptamers) targeted at plasma glycoprotein Von Willebrand Factor. Furthermore, we designed a second RNA molecule to act as an antidote oligonucleotide to the isolated aptamer. We are currently validating this approach in animal models of thrombosis.

Additionally, as a side project, I work on the development of a universal antidote for aptamer molecules that will be useful in clinic.

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