Roger Rubio Sanchez

Dr Roger Rubio Sánchez

BSc MRes PhD

Roger is a BBSRC Discovery Research Fellow hosted at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and a Junior Research Fellow at Wolfson College. Roger's work focuses on exploiting the tools of DNA nanotechnology to elucidate new biophysical principles for membrane signalling and bio-engineering cell-like agents for healthcare and biomedicine.

Roger Rubio Sanchez

Roger completed his BSc in Biotechnology Engineering at the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Mexico City (2015). He moved to Cambridge UK in 2017 to read for an MRes in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training NanoDTC programme, through which he then obtained a PhD in Physics from the Cavendish Laboratory (2021). He continued his research through two postdoctoral appointments, first at Imperial College London (Department of Chemistry) and later back at the University of Cambridge (Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology).

Roger's work has involved studying the biophysical principles that govern the spatial and temporal organisation of membranes, with the goal of constructing DNA nanostructures that could mimic the form and function of cell-surface machinery. By applying his membrane-active DNA nano-devices, Roger engineers advanced functionalities in synthetic cell-like objects, which are useful as models for fundamental research and hold great potential as next-generation biomedical platforms.

Since 2023, he has been an independent Research Fellow (BBSRC Discovery Fellow) hosted at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge. Roger is also the coordinator and lecturer of the Bionanotechnology course, taught as part of the MRes in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and MPhil in Micro and Nanotechnology Enterprise programmes.

Roger’s research interests follow the exciting goals, applications, and impact of synthetic cell science and engineering biology. Roger applies his expertise to advance the toolkit available to engineer synthetic cells and unlock their promised applications to biomedicine.

By applying the tools of amphiphilic DNA nanotechnology to lipid membranes and their phase behaviour, Roger´s work leads to the construction of synthetic cells with purposefully designed functionality. His bespoke DNA nanostructures can impart function to synthetic-cell lipid membranes so that these cell-like objects exhibit behaviours typically observed in living organisms, which can in turn allow synthetic cells to detect and respond to changes in their surroundings.

Exploiting these tailored and bio-mimetic DNA-membrane platforms, Roger designs synthetic cells with the ability to coordinate responses similar to immune cells. With his approach to constructing immune-like synthetic cells, Roger plans to unlock new pathways to detect and respond to the presence of pathogens, enabling the application of synthetic-cell biotechnologies for bottom-up immunity in healthcare and bio-medicine.

What's on

A person holds a glowing light bulb filled with fairy lights in their cupped hands, against a dark and blurred background.

Wolfson Entrepreneurship Competition Final 2025

22/03/2025 at 10.00

Discover groundbreaking ideas and cutting-edge solutions as Cambridge’s brightest entrepreneurial minds compete for prizes over £10,000.

An abstract painting dominated by vibrant blue, featuring intricate white scribbles and textured drips of green, orange, and red, creating a layered and dynamic composition.

Art Exhibition: 'Feel the Rhythm'

22/03/2025 at 10.00

Visit Wolfson's latest exhibition 'Feel the Rhythm' featuring work by emerging artist Fungai Benhura, winner of the Wolfson Royal Academy Schools Graduate Prize.

A man with a shaved head, wearing a striped blazer over a patterned shirt, smiles slightly while leaning against a brick wall.

Medical Society Dinner 2025

22/03/2025 at 19.00

As Wolfson celebrates 60 years, we are excited to invite you to a special dinner in honour of this significant milestone.

A photo of the choir in the College gardens.

Lent Term Concert: Myths and Legends

23/03/2025 at 18.00

As part of Wolfson’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, the College Choir and Alumni Choir, directed by Lyn Alcántara, present an evening of choral works inspired by the fantastical.

Graduands wearing black gown with white shirts and bows stand together for a group photograph

Graduation Ceremony

29/03/2025 at 09.00

Graduation ceremonies are the culmination of students’ hard work and commitment, and a moment to celebrate the completion of their Cambridge degree.

News