The Breaker Laboratory at Yale University is part of a community of researchers exploring the structural and functional capabilities of natural and engineered nucleic acids. Our research currently is divided among four main areas. The links below connect to short descriptions of the highlights of each area with additional links to literature citations. Please visit our tutorials to get an overview of some of the concepts related to out research.

Engineering new RNAs as molecular switches.

Aptamers and Allostery

Beyond the double helix - DNAs that work as enzymes

Deoxyribozymes

RNA genetic control elements that bind metabolites.

Riboswitches

Expanding the diversity of RNA enzymes.

Ribozymes

Our Science