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Innovation for Human Health: Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics

Biodesign Center
for Molecular Design
and Biomimetics

Vision

Reimagining the Future of Medicine–One Molecule at a Time

Every great medical revolution begins with a single transformative idea – an innovation that changes how we understand, detect, and treat disease.

At the Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics (BCMDB), part of Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, Scientists are building medicine from the molecule up – engineering DNA, RNA, proteins, and peptides into programmable systems that can:

– Detect diseases before symptoms appear
– Deliver therapies precisely where needed
– Neutralize pathogens and tumors with accuracy
– Activate the body’s own healing power

This is the frontier of programmable molecular medicine, where design meets discovery and innovation meets healing.

World Class Faculty

Seed and Grow: Advancing Frontier Science Through Interdisciplinary Research

Innovation Without Boundaries

Our Center brings together scientists from diverse fields - chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and AI - united by one mission: to design molecules that save lives

DNA & RNA Therapeutics

Programmable nanostructures for precision cancer therapy and novel antivirals and neurotherapeutics.

Peptide & Protein Materials

Regenerative biomaterials for tissue repair and smart vaccines.

Computational & AI Design

Data-driven molecular engineering accelerating drug and vaccine discovery.

Dynamic Molecular Systems

Smart nanosystems that sense and respond to disease in real time.

Optical Meta-Materials

Light-activated tools for early detection and precision imaging.

Together, these efforts form a powerful ecosystem where discovery rapidly translates into impact.

From Discovery to Cure

In close partnership with physicians and researchers at our medical partners, we transform molecular design breakthroughs into real-world diagnostics and therapeutics.

Biodesign-Driven Nucleic Acid Therapeutics

With Partners at Mayo Clinic, developing precision RNA and DNA therapeutics for aggressive cancers like multiple myeloma and glioblastoma.

Programmable Drug Delivery Platforms

With Partners at Mayo Clinic, achieving targeted delivery with organ-level precision.

Real-Time Surgical Diagnostics

With Partners at Mayo Clinic and Drs. Peter Nakaji and Joseph George from Honor Health, guiding surgeons through intraoperative molecular imaging.

Smart Cancer Vaccines

With Partners at Mayo Clinic, designing RNA scaffolds to train the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Clinical Translation

With Partners at Mayo Clinic, advancing Biodesign-driven therapeutics toward first-in-human trials.

This partnership brings bench-to-bedside translation to life – turning molecular innovation into clinical reality.

Discovery to Impact - Emerging Biotech Spinoffs

Our innovations are inspiring new biotechnology ventures that bridge science, entrepreneurship, and patient impact.

Exodigm Biosciences, Inc.– Founders: Hao Yan, Rizal Hariadi, and General Inception
Developing extracellular nano-sensors that read and track genetic activity in living cells – accelerating biomedical discovery and precision medicine.
Semanto Nanobio Inc.– Founders: Hao Yan, Jerry Shen
Building programmable molecular therapeutics and diagnostics through three advanced platforms:
PROGENTAC™ – A next-generation protein degradation system enabling trigger-based and localized elimination of disease targets, including “undruggable” proteins.
PRONA™ – A modular vaccine and therapeutic RNA platform for infectious diseases and cancers, designed for rapid adaptation and personalized immunotherapy.
NuTag™ – An intraoperative molecular diagnostic system providing real-time, AI-enhanced precision guidance during surgery.

Each spinoff represents a step toward intelligent, design-driven medicine that moves faster and acts smarter.

Philanthropy Matters

Government grants fund discovery, but philanthropy fuels transformation.

Your support will accelerate:

First-in-human trials for Biodesign nucleic acid therapeutics
High-risk, high-reward projects that redefine medicine
Training for the next generation of molecular innovators
Collaborative activities with medical partners for clinical translation
Seed funding for bold scientific ventures that grow into global-impact startups

Your generosity enables what traditional funding cannot – visionary science that changes lives.

Join us in Shaping the Future of Biomolecular Design for Human Health

The Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics is redefining how we diagnose, treat, and prevent disease – molecule by molecule.

Your partnership can help bring these discoveries from the laboratory to the people who need them most.

Together, we can turn molecules into medicines – and imagination into impact.

If you are interested in supporting our science, please contact us