There is cause for celebration among researchers Ebbe Sloth Andersen and Torben Heick Jensen, both affiliated with Aarhus University. They have each received news that they will be awarded an ERC Advanced Grant – one of Europe’s most coveted research grants – to fund their respective projects.

For Torben, this marks the second time he has been awarded the prestigious grant – an achievement only a handful of researchers in Denmark have reached.
What’s particularly remarkable? Both scientists work with RNA – the molecule that, in recent years, has gained renewed attention through mRNA vaccines and groundbreaking advances in medicine.

While Torben’s project investigates the fundamental mechanisms of how cells manage RNA, Ebbe’s project will develop novel RNA-based mechanisms for controlling biological cells.

Aarhus as a hub for RNA research

It is highly unusual – both in a Danish and international context – for two researchers from the same institution to receive this prestigious grant at the same time. It underscores how Aarhus has established itself as one of Europe’s leading locations for RNA research.

“There is a long-standing tradition for RNA research here – going all the way back to the early 1990s,” says Torben. “It started as a small but inspiring environment, and over time it has attracted more and more people. Today, it’s grown into a strong, international research community.”

And the global perspective is key: the RNA field attracts researchers from all over the world, and according to both scientists, it is characterized by collaboration, openness, and mutual support.
“It’s a field where people share ideas and build on each other’s knowledge across groups and borders. That’s what makes it both rewarding and meaningful to be part of,” says Ebbe.

RNA robots in living cells

Ebbe’s project, RIBOTICS (RNA Origami Technology in Cell Systems), aims to develop RNA-based “nanorobots” that can sense their environment, perform simple logic operations, and activate specific functions inside living cells. These molecular machines, designed by Ebbe and his team, will initially be implemented in yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and used to regulate metabolism and biosynthesis – essentially turning the cells into controlled biochemical factories.

The project builds on cutting-edge knowledge of RNA structure and design and includes:

1. Development of computer-aided tools and experimental methods – including cryo-electron microscopy – for designing and characterizing RNA robots.

2. Construction of genetically encoded RNA devices that control gene expression and enzymatic organization for metabolic engineering.

3. Development of RNA-like materials (XNA – xenonucleic acids) for advanced functions such as controlled gene delivery and biosensing.

4. Creation of RNA-based signal pathways functioning as “circuits” in the cell – a kind of molecular information processing.

If successful, the project will not only advance our understanding of how to design functional biomolecules but also establish a general platform for future RNA-based technologies with applications in medicine and biotechnology.

“It’s about designing molecules that can understand and respond to their surroundings – almost like tiny robots that can turn biological processes on or off,” explains Ebbe. “It’s both basic science and technology development at the same time.”

Molecular sorting and biological understanding

Torben’s project, Nuclear RNA Sorting, focuses on how cells sort their RNA – a process that plays a key role in cellular information processing and is critical to whether genes are expressed or silenced. This is classic basic research with the goal of understanding biology in its natural form, and how regulation at the RNA level impacts cell function and disease development.

Though the two projects differ greatly in method and approach, they share a common vision: to map and control the function of RNA in cells. Together, they span the entire spectrum – from molecular understanding to molecular design – and open new opportunities for reshaping cellular behavior and turning cells into “biological factories.”

“We’ve talked a lot about how our results might eventually weave together,” says Torben. “It’s a great strength that we work so closely – both physically and scientifically.”

From basic research to new technologies and therapies

Historically, RNA was regarded as the molecule that passes messages from DNA, but recent research shows that it plays a much larger role in gene regulation, disease, cellular architecture, and even as a technological platform.

Ebbe’s project could pave the way for entirely new forms of precision regulation in cells – with applications ranging from bioproduction to targeted gene therapy. At the same time, Torben’s project will deepen our understanding of RNA-based control mechanisms – knowledge essential to future medical breakthroughs.

Both projects are expected to launch in 2025 and will each support research groups of up to six new scientists – including PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

About the ERC Advanced Grant

The ERC Advanced Grant is one of Europe’s most prestigious research awards. It is granted to established top researchers who lead groundbreaking, high-risk projects with the potential to push the frontiers of knowledge.

The grant is an international hallmark of quality and recognition of a researcher’s scientific impact. Receiving an ERC Advanced Grant is widely considered a sign of scientific excellence. It is often compared to the world’s most prestigious prizes and fellowships – such as the German Leibniz Prize and the U.S. NIH Pioneer Awards.

In the research world, an ERC Advanced Grant is a benchmark that can significantly influence hiring, promotions, and strategic priorities – not only in Europe, but globally.