Spotlight

News from the RNA Bioscience Initiative

Jeff Kieft, PhD, Announces move to the New York Structural Biology Center (NYSBC) to Assume the Role of Executive Director

January 1, 2023

RBI's Dr. Jeff Kieft will begin his next great scientific adventure May 1, 2023. Jeff's contributions to RBI are innumerable and he will be greatly missed! Thanks so much for your scientific brilliance, patient teaching, and active leadership. Best always!
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RBI's Neel Mukherjee, PhD, Featured in New State of Research at CU Anschutz Video

December 20, 2022

Learn how the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is working across institutions, medical specialties and communities to advance research that's changing the world. Dr. Mukherjee does a fantastic job narrating large portions of the video. Congratulations Neel!
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Kieft Lab Mints Another Fantastic PhD Scientist

December 1, 2022

The highest of high fives to RBI's latest DOCTOR, Rachel Jones, PhD! Dr. Jones successfully defended her thesis "Uncovering the rules of resistant RNA knots: lessons from the Tamana Bat Virus xrRNA" in front of colleagues, friends and family. Congratulations!

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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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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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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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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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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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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Quentin Vicens and Beat Vogeli Convert RBI Pilot Award into Million Dollar NSF Grant

August 2022

RBI's Quentin Vicens, PhD, in collaboration with BMG's Beat Vogeli, have been awarded a multi-year NSF Grant titled Structural characterization of the mechanism leading to recognition of Alu elements by the Z-RNA-binding domain of ADAR1. Preliminary work supported in part by an RBI pilot grant (to QV) enabled the pair to shape one of their three specific aims around monitoring of differential editing and characterization of ADAR1 binding sites using next-generation sequencing. Congratulations Quentin and Beat!
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RBI Labs Mint New Cohort of Amazing PhD Scientists

Summer 2022

The highest of high fives to RBI's latest DOCTORS, Laura White, PhD (Hesselberth Lab), Sara Espinosa, PhD (Zhao Lab), and Rae Goering, PhD (Taliaferro Lab)! Each of them successfully defended their thesis in July/August and are moving on to postdoctoral positions. Well done all!
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RBI Announces New Round of Interdisciplinary Pilot Grant Funding- Apply Now!

August 1, 2022

In order to enhance basic science, translational, and clinical studies on the CU Anschutz Campus, the RNA Bioscience Initiative (RBI) supports RNA biology research, particularly RNA-seq and other informatic intensive, cutting-edge technologies via its  Pilot Grant Program. Fall 2022 features long read RNA sequencing (Oxford Nanopore), ribosome profiling, mRNA packaging in lipid nanoparticles– applications are invited for investigator-initiated pilot projects that will generate preliminary data to test the feasibility of novel avenues of research and will support future extramural grant applications. LOI due August 15; Applications due September 19.
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RBI Trainees Win Multiple Awards at 2022 RNA Society Meeting

June 5, 2022

Many congratulations to Dr. Jillian Ramos (Kieft Lab) for receiving the Research Excellence by an Underrepresented Scientist award, and to poster winners Dr. Laura White (Hesselberth Lab), Dr. Allison Swain (Johnson Lab), and graduate student Elizabeth Spear (Kieft Lab). Way to go all!
Read More about Dr. Ramos     View Photo of Poster Winners (scroll down to the bottom after opening link)

Public Outreach and Promotion of Scientific Literacy Essential to the RBI Mission

April 25, 2022

We encourage you to watch the latest video from the RNA Bioscience Initiative. In this video RBI co-founder and co-director, Dr. David Bentley, deftly explains the nature of RNA in simple, accessible terms. Please share this video with friends and family and help us expand understanding of RNA and RNA research to a broader audience.
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RBI Featured in CU Medicine Today Magazine

April 15, 2022

Read about the many ways the RNA Bioscience Initiative at CU Anschutz is transforming our campus. Learn how RBI researchers Olivia Rissland, DPhil, and Suja Jagannathan, PhD, are pushing the boundaries of RNA Biology.
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Spatial Transcriptomics Pilot Grant Winners Announced

April 14, 2022

The latest round of RBI Pilot Grant awardees have been selected. Each project seeks to expand their understanding of complex transcriptional landscapes within a spatial context, using cutting-edge molecular profiling methods to measure all the gene activity in a tissue sample and map where the activity is occurring. Such experiments are essential for the understanding the biology of health vs. disease. Congratulations to Santos Franco, PhD (Pediatrics- Developmental Biology) and  Katharina Hopp (Medicine- Renal Diseases and Hypertension)!
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RBI's Olivia Rissland Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure

April 13, 2022

Many congratulations to Olivia for reaching this milestone! Find out more about the Rissland lab and their cutting-edge investigation of RNA stability and translation.
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RBI's Dr. Michael Cortazar Osorio Awarded Postdoc of the Month by the CU Postdoctoral Association

March 25, 2022

Many congratulations to Michael, a 2017-2018 RBI RNA Scholar and Bentley Lab graduate! Currently a member of the Jagannathan Lab, this award recognizes Cortazar Osorio's work on RNA decay and its role in disease.
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March Madness RNA Style – Three RBI Students Earn Their PhDs in RNA-Biology

March 18, 2022

Congratulations to RBI's newest doctors, Claire Gillette, PhD, Kimberley Wellman, PhD, and Justin Roberts, PhD! Each of them successfully defended their thesis in March and are moving on to new postdoctoral positions. Well done all!
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RBI Announces New Round of Interdisciplinary Pilot Grant Funding- Apply Now!

February 2, 2022

In order to enhance basic science, translational, and clinical studies on the CU Anschutz Campus, the RNA Bioscience Initiative (RBI) supports RNA biology research, particularly RNA-seq and other informatic intensive, cutting-edge technologies via its Pilot Grant Program. Spring 2022 features Spatial Transcriptomics – applications are invited for investigator-initiated pilot projects that will generate preliminary data to test the feasibility of novel avenues of research and will support future extramural grant applications. 
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RBI Postdoc Jillian Ramos Awarded 2022 RNA Society/ Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press Award for Research Excellence by an Underrepresented Scientist

December 22, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS Dr. Ramos! This award acknowledges exceptional contributions to RNA science by a trainee who is underrepresented in biomedical research. Jillian was recognized for her "contributions to understanding tRNA structure and function, combined with her outreach, mentoring and education activities." 

Applications for the RBI 2022 Summer Internship Program are Now Open– APPLY TODAY!

December 15, 2021

The RBI Summer Internship Program is a PAID, 10-week hands-on, mentored research opportunity for undergraduates who want to gain real-world laboratory experience in RNA biology, chemistry, biochemistry, genomics, and bioinformatics.

RBI's Allison Swain, PhD, Awarded K99/R00 "Pathway to Independence" Grant

December 9, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS Dr. Swain! This grant from NIH-NIDCR, titled N6-methyladenosine in Candida white-opaque switching and oral infection, will provide an additional 2 years of postdoctoral support ($90,000 per year) AND $249,000/year for 3 years upon starting an independent lab as a faculty member. 

RBI PostDoc Extraordinaire, Steve Bonilla, Publishes in Science

November 18, 2021

This study reveals how viral RNAs can use a combination of static and dynamic RNA structures to bind host machinery through highly noncanonical interactions, and highlights the utility of cryo-EM for visualizing small, conformationally dynamic structured RNAs.

Congratulations to Steve and his co-authors Maddie Sherlock, Andrea MacFadden, and Jeff Kieft!

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Evaluation Determines RBI Pilot Grant Program a Massive Success

November 18, 2021

A comprehensive evaluation of the RBI Pilot Grant Program recently revealed a success story beyond our wildest dreams. Investigators were able to leverage data from their RBI pilot grant awards into $56,540,451 worth of additional grant funding. This represents a return on investment (ROI) of 2172%!!! Special thanks to the RBI Informatics Fellows and the entire RBI team for their hard work!

RBI RNA Scholar Brenna Dennison Defends Thesis

September 28, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS Dr. Dennison! Brenna completed her graduate work "Srsf3 mediates alternative RNA splicing downstream of PDGFRa signaling in the facial mesenchyme" in the Fantauzzo Lab- Department of Craniofacial Biology, School of Dental Medicine. 

Congratulations to Our New RBI Pilot Grant Awardees

September 1, 2021

The latest round of RBI Pilot Grants netted 59 applications and 20 awards. These awards will enable investigators from two different  schools (School of Medicine and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences), representing seven unique departments and 6 divisions, to add RNA-based technologies to their research programs. Congratulations to all!
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RBI Announces New RNA Scholars

August 30, 2021

Congratulations to Lorraine Davis, Arely Diaz, Hei-Yong Grant Lo, and Cormac Lucas the RBI 2021-2022 RNA Scholars. These four graduate students were selected from a pool of 7 accomplished applicants. Each displays outstanding promise toward advancing RNA biology.
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RBI Graduate Student, Evan Morrison, Wins HHMI Gilliam Award

July 22, 2021

RBI's Evan Morrison and his mentor, Olivia Rissland, have been selected as one of 50 new HHMI Gilliam student-advisor pairs. Gilliam fellowships are awarded to outstanding graduate students and their PhD mentors as part of a program to foster diversity and inclusion in biomedical or life science disciplines.
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Rissland Wins National Science Foundation Career Award

July 15, 2021

The NSF has awarded RBI's Dr. Olivia Rissand a prestigious Early Career Development award to study the maternal-to-zygotic transition in animal embryogenesis. The award will provide $1.3 million dollars of funding over five years. 
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Taliaferro and Pearson Secure Funding from W.M. Keck Foundation

July 12, 2021

RBI faculty members Matt Taliaferro, PhD and Chad Pearson, PhD, have been awarded a $1 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation for their project Control of cell division through centrosomal RNA localization. The goal of this study is to uncover the identity of centrosomal RNAs essential to the proper regulation of cell division. Given the links between centrosome dysfunction and cancer, it may reveal previously unidentified mechanisms that contribute to tumorigenesis.

Jagannathan Awarded Grant by the FSHD Society

July 8, 2021

Dr. Sujatha Jagannathan was recently awarded an investigator-initiated research grant by the FSHD Society. This grant will support her lab's work on identifying the mechanism by which the DUX4 inhibits nonsense-mediated RNA deco (NMD) in the human muscle disease facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Congratulations Suja!
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Former RBI Scholar, Brenna Dennison, Manuscript Featured in Development

June 29, 2021

Congratulations to former RBI Scholar Brenna Dennison, whose manuscript has been featured in Development. Brenna was an RBI Scholar for the 2019-2020 year, and is currently a PhD student in Dr. Katherine Fantauzzo's lab. 
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Current RBI Scholar, Divya Kolakada, Awarded Predoctoral Fellowship from the American Heart Association

June 8, 2021

Congratulations to Divya Kolakada, current RBI Scholar, for being awarded a Predoctoral Fellowship by the American Heart Society. Currently a PhD student in Dr. Sujatha Jagannathan's lab, Divya's project will be focused on investigating the fate of NMD substrates and their protein products.
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Former RBI Postdoc, Tassa Saldi, Featured in the June Edition of CU Anschutz Alumni Pulse

June 8, 2021

Find out how Dr. Saldi leveraged her CU Anschutz-RBI training to advance her career. Currently she serves as the laboratory director of the COVID-19 Surveillance Lab at the BioFrontiers Institute and Chief Scientific Officer of TUMI Genomics, a diagnostics company she co-founded in 2020.
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RBI Now Accepting Applications for the RNA Scholars Program

May 28, 2021

The RNA Bioscience Initiative financially supports graduate students as part of its education and training program. Eligible applicants are graduate students whose research focuses primarily on RNA, and who have completed two research years in their thesis lab and passed their comprehensive exam (as of August). The RNA Scholar Awards are for 1 year and are not renewable. RBI RNA Scholars will receive $35,000 (towards their stipend) and an additional $2,000 for educational expenses (such as computer, research-relevant software, or travel to a conference).
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RBI Co-Director Discusses the Future of mRNA Technology on 9News Next with Kyle Clark

June 2, 2021

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.
Watch the Video

RBI Announces New Round of Interdisciplinary Pilot Grant Funding- Apply Now!

May 18, 2021

In order to enhance basic science, translational, and clinical studies on the CU Anschutz Campus, the RNA Bioscience Initiative (RBI) supports RNA biology research, particularly RNA-seq and other informatic intensive, cutting-edge technologies via its Pilot Grant Program. Applications are invited for investigator-initiated pilot projects that will generate preliminary data to test the feasibility of novel avenues of research and will support future extramural grant applications. 
Read More

Research by RBI Faculty Featured by CU Cancer Center

May 18, 2021

Learn about RBI faculty, Rui Zhao, Neel Mukherjee, and Aaron Johnson, and their collective determination to conquer cancer. Their studies of RNA biology demonstrate the paradoxical role of RNA in cancer, as both driver of disease and potential therapy.
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RBI Postdoctoral Scholar, Steve Bonilla, Awarded Prestigious HHMI Hanna Gray Fellowship

February 18, 2021

Steve Bonilla, a postdoctoral fellow in the Kieft Lab, was selected as one of 21 early career researchers recognized by the Howard Hughs Medical Institute (HHMI) as Hanna H. Gray Fellows. Bonilla will receive up to $1.4 million over eight years to expand his ground-breaking work using cryogenic electron microscopy to visualize dynamic RNA structures.
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Former RBI Scholar's Manuscript Featured as Cover Story in Plos Biology

February 8, 2021

Congratulations to former RBI Scholar, Katie Yergert, whose manuscript is featured as the cover piece for the current issue of Plos Biology. Katie was an RBI Scholar for the 2018-2019 year, and is currently working as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Gary Bassell's laboratory at Emory University.
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RBI Announces New RNA Scholars

January 1, 2021

Congratulations to Roberto Castro-Gutierrez, Raeann Goering, Divya Kolakada, Nicole Moss, and Matthew Szucs the RBI 2020-2021 RNA Scholars. These five graduate students were selected from a pool of 9 accomplished applicants. Each displays outstanding promise toward advancing RNA biology.
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Vicens and Kieft Awarded R21 via NIH-NIAID

December 15, 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Quentin Vicens and Dr. Jeffrey Kieft who were awarded an R21 through NIAID. They will be studying viral RNAs resistant to exoribonucleases in the alphavirus supergroup.

Cohrs Leverages RBI Expertise to Earn New NIH-R01

November 17, 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Randall Cohrs who was awarded an R01 through NIAID. The goal of Dr. Cohr's project is to study transcription of VLT and ORF 63 to provide insight into molecular mechanisms that regulate VZV latency and reactivation, which will allow his lab to develop novel intervention strategies that effectively target latent VZV and consequently the burden of herpes zoster disease.

Hesselberth Awarded NIH Director’s Transformative Research Grant

October 6, 2020

The RBI co-director was one of nine winners selected to pursue a high-risk high-reward project. Dr. Hesselberth will work to develop new approaches to measure biochemical heterogeneity at single-cell resolution.

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Jagannathan Wins FSHD Society 2020 Young Investigator Award

August 17, 2020

This RBI faculty member, one of three highly accomplished awardees, was recognized for her groundbreaking work on RNA surveillance and how dysregulation of this process contributes to disease.
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Ramachandran Named 2020 Pew-Stewart Scholar for Cancer Research

June 15, 2020

This RBI faculty member, one of five impressive awardees, is tasked with improving methods for early cancer detection using cell-free DNA.
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