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Jason Fontana

Jason Fontana

Co-founder & CEO at Wayfinder Biosciences, pioneering RNA-targeting therapies

Seattle, Washington
San Francisco, California

Summary

Jason Fontana is a pioneering entrepreneur and scientist in synthetic biology and molecular engineering. He co-founded Wayfinder Biosciences, a company dedicated to discovering small molecule therapies that target RNA. His work at Wayfinder involves developing novel RNA technologies, including nano-scale biosensors, for high-throughput screening to accelerate drug discovery and biomanufacturing, aiming to treat currently incurable diseases. wayfinderbio+2
His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Molecular Engineering from the University of Washington, where he focused on developing CRISPR-Cas tools for genetic engineering in bacteria to optimize the biosynthesis of valuable products. His research contributions are extensive, with numerous publications in high-impact journals on topics like synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and CRISPR technology. washington+2
Originally from Italy, Jason's passion for synthetic biology was ignited by the iGEM competition, where he engineered bacteria for environmental cleanup. This experience led him to pursue advanced degrees and research, culminating in his entrepreneurial ventures in the biotech sector. He is noted for his perseverance as an immigrant startup founder, establishing Wayfinder Biosciences in San Francisco to leverage its biotech ecosystem. medium

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He initially pursued a path toward becoming a cancer geneticist before shifting to synthetic biology after participating in the iGEM competition. medium