UAlbany Celebrates New Center of Excellence in RNA Research and Therapeutics on ‘World RNA Day’

Speakers at the press conference included, left to right: Distinguished Professor Marlene Belfort, Provost Carol Kim, President Havidán Rodríguez, Sen. Neil Breslin, Distinguished Professor Andy Berglund, University of Rochester Professor Eric Wagner, Emilio Genzano, UAlbany graduate student Victoria DeMeo, and Distinguished Professor Tom Begley. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)
(Photo by Patrick Dodson)
(Photo by Patrick Dodson)
(Photo by Patrick Dodson)
UAlbany student Victoria DeMeo spent her summer interning at Regeneron on the QC Virology Bioinformatics Team. DeMeo is currently pursuing her Master's of Science in Biology with a concentration in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental and Neural Biology. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)
Emilio Genzano is a parent and strong local advocate for myotonic dystrophy research. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)
Assembly member Pat Fahy and RNA Institute Director Andy Berglund speak to a student about his poster during the first of two student poster sessions held on "RNA Day." Over 50 undergrad and high school students presented work from their summer research projects. (Photo by Patrick Dodson).
(Photo by Patrick Dodson)
Left to right: Assemblymember Pat Fahy, Distinguished Professor Andy Berglund, Provost Carol Kim. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 13, 2024) — On "World RNA Day," recognized annually on Aug. 1, University at Albany's RNA Institute celebrated its recent designation as a Center of Excellence in RNA Research and Therapeutics in partnership with University of Rochester's Center for RNA Biology. At a press conference held at the RNA Institute, UAlbany leadership, RNA scientists and longtime supporters of the work shared plans for new efforts in research, teaching and local economic development made possible by this funding.

Also known as CERRT, the Center of Excellence was funded through Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) in the New York State budget adopted this spring.  The Center will focus on developing RNA-based therapies and training the next generation of New York’s biotechnology workforce.

Building New York’s Biotech Workforce

"The RNA Institute is deeply committed to training students as young as high schoolers, to ensure that future generations of scientists are equipped to advance critical biomedical research in our region," said RNA Institute Director and Keith Hynes Endowed Professor in STEM Andy Berglund. “We are excited to partner with our UR colleagues to meet the workforce needs of New York industry and develop treatments caused by defective RNAs."

The announcement coincided with the RNA Institute’s "RNA Day" celebration, with students participating in the Institute’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates in RNA Program, and the Summer Bioinformatics Program presenting research projects in poster sessions.

"Two of our signature programs, the RNA Institute Summer Bioinformatics Program and the Research Experience for Undergraduates in RNA Program, are among those that provide young researchers with the skills they need to succeed in STEM careers," said Berglund. "An important part of this effort, and one we look forward to growing thanks to COE support, is connecting our students with internships and co-op positions with local industry partners including RNA Institute spinoff company Regeneron, as well as Pfizer, Curia and startups in New York State."

Berglund will co-lead the CERRT at UAlbany with Distinguished Professor Thomas Begley of the Department of Biological Sciences, who is also associate director of UAlbany’s RNA Institute. Lynne E. Maquat will co-lead the CERRT at the University of Rochester with Eric J. Wagner, professor of biochemistry and biophysics and a member of the UR Center for RNA Biology.

"A major goal of academic centers like Rochester and Albany is to provide our students and postdoctoral fellows with the best training possible, so they have the skills needed to pursue the career path of their choice," said Maquat, the J. Lowell Orbison Endowed Chair and professor of biochemistry and biophysics, pediatrics and oncology. "The Center of Excellence will ensure our trainees are competitive in the job market and help us recruit strong candidates to study and conduct research at our institutions in the future." 

CERRT will work with large New York biotech companies including Regeneron, Pfizer and Curia to develop new therapeutics and establish a pipeline of trained workers. According to Maquat, one of the first orders of business is to establish programs where trainees at University of Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry engage in short-term “sabbaticals” at these companies, learning how industry operates and understanding the various roles scientists play in the private sector.

RNA Treatments Hold Enormous Promise

Myotonic dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, fragile X syndrome and many other inherited disorders can be targeted with RNA-based treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic, meanwhile, highlighted the power of RNA to prevent disease as the development and deployment of mRNA vaccines saved untold lives and helped the U.S. economy safely reopen.

"The COVID-19 pandemic focused the world’s attention on the importance of RNA science and the way strategic public investments and thoughtful industry partnerships can lead to new therapies that alleviate suffering and improve quality of life across a range of diseases," said University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez. "Thanks to groundbreaking research by scientists in Albany and Rochester who have been leading this work for decades and dogged advocacy by our representatives in the Legislature, UAlbany and UR will continue to advance cutting-edge RNA science that provides high-tech jobs for New Yorkers while helping people live longer, healthier lives."

"Our scientists have deep experience and a proven track record of important discoveries that are propelling the fast-growing field of RNA biology forward,” said University of Rochester Vice President for Research Stephen Dewhurst. “Together with our partners in Albany, we’re poised to use our knowledge and expertise to build up this Center of Excellence, bringing new discoveries closer to patients and contributing to the state’s growth as a hub for health and technology research and development."

The CERRT joins 14 other centers based at universities across New York in the Centers of Excellence program. Managed by Empire State Development, the centers establish and advance collaborations between the academic research community and the business sector to develop and commercialize new products and technologies; promote critical private sector investment in emerging scientific fields in New York; and create and expand businesses and employment.

"This exciting partnership represents a major step forward in our efforts to drive scientific advancement across New York State," said Congressman Paul D. Tonko. "I’m proud of my work to support the RNA Institute through the Community Project Funding process, and I’m thrilled to celebrate the launch of this new Center for Excellence that will further cement our Capital Region’s status as a hub for innovation in the industries of the future. By fostering cutting-edge RNA research and training the next generation of biotech professionals, we are ensuring that New York remains at the forefront of technological progress and economic development."

New State Funding Launches Center

Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson of Rochester led the charge to secure funds in the 2024-25 New York State Enacted Budget to establish CERRT, which will initially receive $250,000. The COE also received strong support from Sen. Neil Breslin and assemblymembers Patricia Fahy and John T. McDonald III, who represent UAlbany.

"Supporting an equitable and diverse array of research is critical to the success and longevity of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in New York, but also to the economic vitality of communities throughout New York," said Bronson, who is chair of the Committee on Labor and represents the University of Rochester Medical Center in the Assembly. "These centers attract worldwide talent to participate in and develop innovative, life-saving research. UR and UAlbany are already home to world renown medical researchers in the RNA field, and an RNA-focused Center of Excellence will give biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies — large and small — the competitive advantage they need to succeed by providing them access to leading researchers, cutting-edge technology and a pipeline of top talent."

"UAlbany’s new RNA Center of Excellence will ensure we continue to attract and retain biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in New York State that support good-paying jobs and economic development in our Capital Region communities," said Assemblymember Fahy. "UAlbany is already home to globally competitive and recognized researchers and scientists in the RNA field, and the RNA Center of Excellence will ensure that these companies continue to invest and attract the next generation of workers and researchers right here in our communities. I was proud to help secure $250,000 for this new Center of Excellence and look forward to seeing not only its success in continuing to drive our local economy but lead and drive groundbreaking discoveries in this vital field."

"This new NYSTAR Center of Excellence in RNA Research and Therapeutics will establish New York State as a nationwide leader in biotechnology research and discovery," said Sen. Neil Breslin. "RNA treatments offer limitless promise, and I applaud the partnership between the University of Rochester and the University at Albany for their leadership in this groundbreaking field."

"I am pleased to see the designation of the University of Rochester and University at Albany as new Centers for Excellence in RNA Research and Therapeutics and thank my colleagues in the Assembly Pat Fahy and Harry Bronson who helped champion this effort in the Assembly as did Senator Neil Breslin in the Senate,” said Assemblymember McDonald, a registered pharmacist. “As a health care professional, I appreciate the potential RNA research will have on health and medicine and look forward to even greater research and discoveries in the future."

"This new Center of Excellence will strengthen critical ties between academic RNA research centers and biotechnology industry leaders and ensure New York’s biotech sector has the skilled workforce it needs to continue growing and innovating," said UAlbany Vice President for Research and Economic Development Thenkurussi "Kesh" Kesavadas. "Combined with UAlbany’s investments in AI supercomputing, the research and training conducted through CERRT holds enormous potential to develop RNA-based therapies for diseases impacting tens of thousands of New Yorkers."

"Empire State Development is strategically focused on strengthening the innovation economy and NYSTAR’s Centers of Excellence are essential to our mission," said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. "This new partnership between UAlbany and the University of Rochester will encourage collaboration between academia and the private sector and will provide an environment that will commercialize new products and technologies right here in New York State."  