Medical Science 37
Miracles of Science #3: RNA World Part 1
May 20, 2026
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In this episode of the n-Lorem Patient Empowerment Podcast, Stan Crooke explores the “RNA World” — the groundbreaking field of RNA biology that helped make modern genetic medicine possible. Drawing from personal experience, he shares the scientific battles surrounding early RNA discoveries, the development of antisense technology, and how decades of persistence ultimately led to life-changing therapies for nano-rare patients. Along the way, Stan explains how evolution, molecular biology, and information systems inside cells shape human health and the future of medicine.
n-Lorem Founder and CEO, Stan Crooke, recently joined the advisory board of the CNBC Cures, an initiative bringing together families, doctors, investors and regulators with one goal in mind: helping to raise awareness of, and improve patient outcomes for, the 30 million Americans suffering from rare diseases. You can join the CNBC Cures Newsletter here.
In This Episode, We Explore:
00:00 – Introduction & Sponsor Message
Stan introduces the episode and explains the importance of the RNA World to nano-rare medicine.
02:15 – Why RNA Science Changed Everything
How RNA discoveries became foundational to modern genetic therapies.
05:10 – The Scientific Wars Over Small Nuclear RNAs
The fierce debates among scientists about whether snRNAs were real or experimental artifacts.
09:40 – What Science Is Really Like Behind the Scenes
Stan discusses the emotional and competitive nature of scientific discovery.
13:00 – Antisense Technology & the Road to Spinraza
How decades of RNA research led to breakthrough treatments for spinal muscular atrophy.
17:30 – Lessons From Evolution
Why evolution reuses successful molecular strategies to create complex life.
22:15 – Families of Genes, Proteins & Molecular Efficiency
How biological systems adapt and customize molecular functions.
26:00 – Life as an Information System
Stan explains DNA, RNA, proteins, and cells through the lens of information theory.
29:00 – Final Thoughts: Humanity Wins Through Science
Why scientific perseverance ultimately benefits patients and society.
Watch on YouTube:
The host of the show is Dr. Stanley Crooke, a scientist, a physician, an entrepreneur and the father of antisense technology. Dr. Crooke is responsible for driving the development of antisense or ASO technology, an RNA-targeted technology responsible for the commercialization of three best- and first-in class medicines and more than 40 drugs in development. In 2020, Stan formed n-Lorem to use this powerful technology to develop experimental personalized ASO medicines for nano-rare patients (1 to 30 patients worldwide) for free, for life.
Listen to our next Intro to Medical Science episode
Antisense (How we do it at n-Lorem)
We cannot do
this alone
Together we are changing the world—
one patient at a time
We hope that you join us on this journey to discover, develop and provide individualized antisense medicines for free for life for nano-rare patients. The ultimate personalized medicine approach – for free, for life.
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