What is our lab philosophy?

Redefining a Field

We are not working within established paradigms—we are changing them.
Our lab uncovered that ribosomes are not uniform machines, but specialized regulators of gene expression, fundamentally reshaping how biology understands translation, development, and disease.

Joining the lab means contributing to discoveries that shift entire paradigms, not just adding incremental knowledge. Our work has challenged long-standing assumptions in molecular biology, opening new directions and sparking active discussion across the field.

Big Questions, Real Impact
We tackle some of the most profound questions in biology:
How does the ribosome encode regulatory information?
How is gene expression controlled at the level of translation in development?
Why do defects in ribosomes cause human disease?
Can we therapeutically reprogram translation in cancer, aging, and regeneration?
Our work spans basic biology to translational applications, including small molecule discovery and disease modeling.

Building New Technologies
A hallmark of the lab is innovation.
Trainees don’t just use tools—they invent them:
Ribo-Tweezer
ALIBi (optogenetic proximity labeling)
RiboExM (ribosome expansion microscopy)
icM² for RNA structure in cells

You will have the opportunity to develop entirely new approaches that open unexplored areas of biology.

Deep, Mechanistic Science
We go beyond descriptive studies to uncover mechanism at multiple scales:
Molecular (ribosomes, RNA, signaling pathways)
Cellular (stem cells, differentiation, disease states)
Organismal (development, tissue regeneration, physiology, multiple model systems)
Our work integrates genomics, proteomics, imaging, and chemical biology to build a complete picture of gene regulation.

A Culture of Mentorship and Independence
We are deeply committed to training the next generation of scientists.
In the lab, you will:
Be mentored closely and thoughtfully
Develop your own scientific identity and ideas
Receive strong support for fellowships, talks, and career advancement
Be encouraged to take intellectual risks
Trainees leave the lab as leaders, not just contributors.

Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Environment
We are embedded in a rich scientific ecosystem at Stanford and beyond, collaborating with leaders in:

Human Genetics

Genomics and Gene Engineering

Chemical biology
Computational biology
Stem cell biology
Clinical research
You will be part of a network that enables ambitious, cross-disciplinary science.

From Discovery to Therapy
Our work does not stop at understanding biology—we actively pursue therapeutic strategies, including:
Small molecule screens targeting translation
Disease-focused models (ribosomopathies, cancer, neurobiology)
Translational control as a new axis for intervention
This creates a unique opportunity to bridge fundamental discovery with real-world impact.

Join Us
If you are excited by bold ideas, rigorous science, and the opportunity to uncover entirely new biology, the Barna Lab offers a place to do your most creative and meaningful work.