13 published papers and conference contributions · 2023–2026
2026
3 publications
Computational analysis of sequence editability in the theophylline RNA aptamer as a functional RNA module
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 27(16):7228 (2026)
Examines how far the sequence of the theophylline aptamer can be
altered while retaining its function, assessing its editability as a
reusable module in engineered RNA constructs.
Rational design of mechanically active RNAs: de novo engineering of functional exoribonuclease resistant RNAs
Nucleic Acids Res. 54(9):gkag473 (2026)
Reports the rational, de novo engineering of functional
exoribonuclease resistant RNAs (xrRNAs), establishing sequence and
structure design principles that link mechanical RNA topology to
XRN1 resistance and expanding the toolkit for programmable synthetic
RNA biology.
Identification of conserved RNA regulatory switches in living cells using RNA secondary structure ensemble mapping and covariation analysis
Nature Biotechnology 44(6):989–1001 (2026)
Reports the discovery of conserved RNA regulatory switches in living
cells by integrating RNA secondary structure ensemble mapping with
covariation analysis, revealing structural elements that control
gene expression at the RNA level.
2025
3 publications
From structure to function: computational insights into Musashi RNA complexes in the context of viral pathogenesis and beyond
ScienceAsia 51S(1) 2025s013:1–10 (2025)
Reviews computational and structural insights into Musashi RNA
complexes, emphasising how Musashi proteins interact with viral RNAs
to modulate replication and pathogenesis, and exploring implications
for antiviral strategies and synthetic biology.
KinPFN: Bayesian approximation of RNA folding kinetics using prior data fitted networks
Thirteenth International Conference on Learning Representations
(ICLR '25)
Presents KinPFN, a deep learning method based on prior data fitted
networks that approximates RNA folding time distributions from only
a few simulated examples, enabling orders of magnitude faster and
accurate modelling of RNA folding kinetics.
Bayesian approximation of RNA folding times
ICLR 2025 Workshop on AI for Nucleic Acids
Details the methodological foundations of KinPFN, its synthetic
prior design and in context learning strategy, and demonstrates how
these enable rapid, accurate approximation of RNA folding time
distributions as a lightweight extension to existing kinetic
simulators.
2024
4 publications
Pan flavivirus analysis reveals sfRNA independent, 3′UTR biased siRNA production from an insect specific flavivirus
Journal of Virology 98(11):e01215-24 (2024)
Shows that mosquito specific flaviviruses such as Kamiti River virus
exploit their unusually long 3′UTR to drive a distinct small RNA
immune response in mosquitoes, pointing to a novel mode of virus
host interaction in insects.
Xinyang flavivirus, from Haemaphysalis flava ticks in Henan Province, China, defines a basal, likely tick only Orthoflavivirus clade
Journal of General Virology 105(5):001991 (2024)
Describes the discovery of Xinyang flavivirus, a new tick only virus
from China representing a previously unknown branch of the
flavivirus family, highlighting how unexplored viral diversity in
ticks can reveal new evolutionary paths.
A framework for automated scalable designation of viral pathogen lineages from genomic data
Nature Microbiology 9(2):550–560 (2024)
Introduces a scalable framework for automatically designating viral
pathogen lineages directly from genomic data, giving genomic
surveillance a reproducible way to name and track emerging lineages.
The 3′ terminal region of Zika virus RNA contains a conserved G quadruplex and is unfolded by human DDX17
Biochemistry and Cell Biology 102(1):96–105 (2024)
Identifies a conserved G quadruplex in the 3′ terminal region of the
Zika virus genome and shows that the human helicase DDX17 unfolds
it, linking a structured viral RNA element to a host factor.
2023
3 publications
A structural refinement technique for protein RNA complexes based on a combination of AI based modeling and flexible docking: a study of Musashi 1 protein
Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan 96(7):677–685 (2023)
Combines AI based structure modelling with flexible docking to
refine protein RNA complexes, demonstrated on the Musashi 1 protein
and its RNA target.
Investigating RNA RNA interactions through computational and biophysical analysis
Nucleic Acids Res. 51(9):4588–4601 (2023)
Pairs computational prediction with biophysical measurement to
characterise RNA RNA interactions, showing how the two approaches
together constrain interaction models.
Complete publication record
Michael T. Wolfinger's publication record extends back to 2001 and includes work carried out at the University of Vienna and other academic institutions.
The full record is kept on his personal site, and the continuously updated
bibliography is also available through ORCID, PubMed and Google Scholar.