Brian Johnston

Brian H. Johnston is the Founder and CEO of SomaGenics, Inc., a company he established in 1997 to focus on RNA therapeutics and diagnostics. With over 30 years of experience in scientific innovation and product development, Dr. Johnston has made significant contributions to the field of biophysical chemistry. He holds a Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and has conducted post-doctoral research at both UCSF and MIT.124

Career Highlights

• SomaGenics, Inc.: Under his leadership, SomaGenics has pioneered the development of the sshRNA® platform for RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics. The company specializes in RNA detection tools and therapeutic programs aimed at chronic wound healing and viral hepatitis.35

• Research Contributions: Dr. Johnston has co-authored approximately 60 scientific papers and holds around 35 patents, showcasing his extensive research background.24

• Previous Roles:

  • Director of the Nucleic Acids Program at SRI International
  • Consulting Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine
  • He has also been involved in various academic roles, including post-doctoral research positions.24

• RealSeq Biosciences: In addition to his work at SomaGenics, he is a co-founder and board member of RealSeq Biosciences, a spin-out company focusing on RNA sequencing technologies.34

Areas of Expertise

Dr. Johnston's expertise includes:

• RNA interference
• Gene expression
• Next-generation sequencing
• Quantitative RT-PCR
• Therapeutic applications for chronic conditions.67

His multifaceted career reflects a strong commitment to advancing RNA-based technologies for medical applications.