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The mission of the RNA Bioscience Initiative (RBI) is to cultivate a vibrant center of discovery and innovation in RNA biology, informatics, diagnostics, and therapy. Our goal is to provide a fluid pipeline from basic to clinical RNA research at the Anschutz Medical Campus.
RNA in the News
RNA Sequencing Reveals Features Unique to the Human Brain
Autumn 2022
Yale University researchers took advantage of single-cell RNA sequencing technology to determine what makes the human brain different from our closest primate relatives. They discovered that microglia, a type of immune cell found only in the central nervous system, is specific to humans. Furthermore, the team found that these microglia express the gene FOXP2; FOXP2 expression has been associated with both language acquisition and neurological diseases.
RNA Viruses Important for Carbon Capture May Help in the Fight Against Climate Change
Autumn 2022
Researchers at Ohio State University recently identified 5000 types of RNA viruses in the world's oceans, most of which were previously unknown. Importantly, at least 11 of the newly discovered virus infect plankton that play a role in the "carbon pump" that sequesters CO2 on the sea floor. Researchers predict that in the future manipulation of these viruses may be used to improve CO2 capture.RBI Spotlight
And He Does It Again! RBI Co-Director, Jay Hesselberth, Awarded an AB Nexus Grant
November 15, 2022
Congratulations to Jay Hesselberth, PhD for being recognized yet again for his collaborative prowess. The RBI co-director, along with Ondrej Kostov, PhD from CU Boulder, was awarded a Fall 2022 AB Nexus grant designed to support cross-campus research projects. Find out more about their project Gene-specific antisense oligonucleotide therapies for diseases of haploinsufficiency and the AB Nexus program via this link.
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RBI Co-Director, Jay Hesselberth, Wins Research Faculty Collaborator Award
October 12, 2022
The recipients of the 2022 CU Anschutz Research Awards were announced in the October 5th issue of the University Research Bulletin. The awardees were selected from more than 100 nominees, reflecting the depth and strength of the CU Anschutz research community. Congratulations to Jay for this well-deserved acknowledgement of his dedication to extending RNA research across disciplines!
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Congratulations to Our New RBI Pilot Grant Awardees
October 11, 2022
The latest round of RBI Pilot Grants netted 9 applications and 5 awards. These awards will enable SOM investigators from 3 unique departments (Immunology & Microbiology, Pharmacology, and BMG) to add the latest RNA-based technologies to their research
programs. Well done all!
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RBI's Aaron Johnson, PhD, Featured in Article about the 2022 Genome Regulation Symposium
October 7, 2022
Dr. Johnson, with assistance from Emma Robinson, PhD, Srinivas Ramachandran, PhD, and Catherine Musselman, PhD, organized this highly collaborative meeting featuring scientists from around Colorado. This year's symposium focused largely on cancer and was co-sponsored by the CU Cancer Center's Molecular and Cellular Oncology Program.
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Bentley Lab Publishes Latest Discoveries in Molecular Cell
October 6, 2022
RNA polymerase travels along each gene from beginning to end and makes an RNA copy of the genetic code. New research from the Bentley lab shows that the RNA polymerase likes to “take a break” or “pause” in a zone at the beginning of genes. Control of this pausing likely impacts how genetic information is accessed and used to control living cells.
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New Podcast Explores RNA Decay with RBI's Neel Mukherjee, PhD
September 30, 2022
Dr. Mukherjee was interviewed about his work by Niki Spahich for the Scientist Speaks podcast. In this episode they discuss the role of RNA decay in regulating blood pressure, and its implications in hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
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Olivia Rissland, PhD, and her Graduate Student, Deviyani Rao, Speak at Science Outreach Event Held at the Tattered Cover Book Store
September 14, 2022
On this very rainy Wednesday evening in September Rissland and Rao spoke to an audience of ~30 community members about how mRNA was used to combat the COVID19 pandemic. Their presentation was followed by a lively discussion with attendees. This program was the inaugural event of a new collaboration between the Tattered Cover and the CU Anschutz Office of Research Education to expand scientific literacy.
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Srinivas Ramachandran, PhD, Publishes Significant New Work in Science Advances
August 25, 2022
Read about how Dr. Ramachandran in collaboration with Peter Kabos, MD (CU Medical Oncology) designed a simple blood test to screen for breast cancer, obviating the need for invasive biopsy. The test relies on using modern sequencing techniques to map estrogen receptors and FOXA1 in cell-free DNA from patient derived plasma.
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On Tap
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The RBI has made CU Anschutz a clear hub of RNA biology expertise, raising the status of the university and its researchers in the eyes of scientists at institutions around the country and the world. The RBI sets CU Anschutz up as a leader in the exciting and groundbreaking field of RNA biology.
.jpg?sfvrsn=60498fb9_4 "Amy Campbell, PhD")
Amy Campbell, PhD
RBI Co-Director Discusses the Future of mRNA Technology on 9News
RBI Co-Director, David Bentley, PhD, was interviewed by 9News reporter Anusha Roy and featured on Next with Kyle Clark. In this piece Dr. Bentley expertly describes the future of mRNA technology and its possible therapeutic uses beyond the COVID vaccine.