Researchers Developed PRADA Platform for In Vivo Labeling
A new platform using engineered enzymes enables the labeling of proteins and RNA across multiple model organisms.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Life Sciences
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Researchers have developed the peroxidase reactions activated by D-amino acids (PRADA) platform to enable protein labeling, RNA labeling, and functional polymer assembly in living organisms. The system, which has been tested in flies, worms, fish, and mice, was detailed in research published on September 30, 2026.
Why it matters
The PRADA platform enables researchers to uncover the spatial organization of biomolecules in vivo, providing new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression. By revealing features like RNA folding, this tool offers a new approach to mapping biological structures within living systems.
The PRADA platform utilizes an engineered oxidase to convert nonproteinogenic D-amino acids into hydrogen peroxide for in situ labeling. It further maps RNA secondary structure through mutational profiling sequencing, a method that uses chemical modifications to identify folding patterns.
The players
PRADA
A research platform utilizing engineered oxidases and peroxidases to facilitate the labeling of biomolecules in living organisms.
The details
The system functions by utilizing an engineered oxidase—an enzyme that catalyzes oxidation reactions—to activate a genetically fused peroxidase. This reaction produces hydrogen peroxide, which is then used to label proteins and assemble functional polymers inside the organism. By applying this to a mouse xenograft model, a transplant of human tumor cells into a mouse, the researchers were able to use the hydrogen peroxide to map RNA secondary structure via mutational profiling sequencing.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: The research findings were published.
The Tech Race
The PRADA platform extends the capabilities of existing genetically encoded proximity labeling tools by incorporating specific D-amino acid triggers. This development marks a move toward more precise, chemically-induced spatial mapping compared to legacy light-activated labeling techniques.
This research provides a new tool for laboratories studying mitochondrial gene expression and cellular organization in model organisms. Researchers can immediately begin integrating these labeling techniques into existing genetic workflows to visualize molecular interactions that were previously difficult to track.
The takeaway
PRADA represents a significant shift in how scientists visualize the real-time organization of biomolecules in living subjects. Watch for follow-up studies applying this platform to map RNA folding patterns in specific disease states.
Further reading
For more on the current state of biological imaging and tracking, browse our Life Sciences archives.
More information
View the scientific study publication for detailed technical specifications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nature.
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