Skip to content
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus CU Anschutz
  • Webmail
  • UCD Access
  • Canvas
  • Quick Links
 

Tools & Resources

  • Events Calendar
  • Newsroom
  • Strauss Health Sciences Library
  • Department A-Z Directory
  • Campus Directory
  • Leadership
  • Faculty & Staff Resources
  • Supporter & Alumni Resources
  • Student Resources
  • Campus Map
  • University Policies
  • Give Now

CU Campuses

  • CU Anschutz Medical Campus
  • CU Boulder
  • CU Colorado Springs
  • CU Denver
  • CU System
  • CU Online

CU Anschutz Medical Campus

  • School of Dental Medicine
  • Graduate School
  • School of Medicine
  • College of Nursing
  • Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Colorado School of Public Health

RNA Bioscience Initiative

School of Medicine

  • Home
  • About RBI
  • About RNA
  • Research & Faculty
  • Training & Education
  • Grants & Fellowships
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Give to RBI
  • Contact Us
    • Home
    • Give to RBI

    Why Support RNA Research?



    Two sides of the same coin2020 was a challenging and scary year for most of the 7.8 billion people on planet earth— and for many, the words Ribonucleic Acid or RNA suddenly became very important and extremely relevant to their daily lives. In late 2019 a novel RNA virus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged as a deadly human pathogen that rapidly spread worldwide, shuttering economies, straining health care systems, sickening tens of millions, and killing millions. 

    Fortunately, in mid-December 2020, RNA made front-page news once again… this time emerging as a protector rather than a villain. This protection came in the form of the mRNA-based vaccines developed and produced by Pfizer-BioNTech (95% efficacy) and Moderna-NIH (94% efficacy), respectively.

    These vaccines reached the clinic at recording-breaking speed, approximately 11 months from inception to approval, yet represent YEARS of hard work by RNA researchers around the world.

    RNA biology has emerged as one of the most influential areas in modern biology and clinical science. The discovery of numerous new classes of RNAs and their function in a wide spectrum of biological processes has revolutionized molecular biology and has profound implications for the future of clinically relevant diagnostics and therapeutics.

    Unfortunately, major knowledge gaps limit our full understanding of RNA biology. Much remains to be uncovered about RNA and the vast and complicated ways it regulates cellular biology and disease. Key areas of research that demand new and sustained funding include elucidation of RNA biogenesis and structure, identification of RNA subclasses and their function, determination of the role of RNA in disease, and development of the technology and computational expertise needed to translate “wet lab” innovations to the bedside.

    Give now

    For information on how to support RNA Research and the RBI, please –

    • Contact the CU Anschutz Office of Advancement at 303-724-6342

       

    • Give online using this form.

    Be sure to write RNA Bioscience Initiative in the comments box of the form.

    RNA Fun Facts

    17 Nobel Prizes have been awarded for discoveries related to RNA biology, including 2 University of Colorado winners- Thom Cech (1989) and Jennifer Doudna (2020)

    Did you Know?

    Understanding how RNAs are made, processed, matured, and translated is key to understanding how errors can lead to disease.

    Did you Know?

    There are currently 4 categories of FDA approved RNA-based therapy– Antisense RNAs (ASO), small interfering RNAs (siRNA), RNA aptamers, and mRNAs.

    Did you Know?

    Messenger RNA (mRNA) was discovered in 1961, but the concept of RNA as therapy didn’t emerge until the 1990s.

    Did you Know?

    Greater than 30% of all genetic diseases are a consequence of defective RNA processing and/or maturation.

    Did you Know?

    Previous slide
    Next slide
    • Contact Us
    • Website Feedback
    • CU System
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • Accreditation
    • Employment
    • Give Now
     

    © 2023 The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved.

    Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.

    CMS Login

    Webmail

    UCD Access

    Canvas

    Opens in a new window Opens document in a new window