UAlbany Gathers Leading RNA Science Innovators for 2nd Annual Symposium on RNA Science and its Applications

Three days of the University's RNA symposium in March will deal with the CRISPR/Cas system, which has been used for gene editing and gene regulation in many species and may one day allow us to alter the genomes of entire populations of organisms.

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 4, 2014) — The RNA Institute at the University at Albany, in partnership with St. Louis, Mo.-based Sigma-Aldrich corporation, will convene leading U.S. researchers to conduct workshops and lead discussions on the latest innovations in genome editing and RNA simulation at the 2nd Annual RNA Symposium on RNA Science and its Applications, March 17-20, 2015, at the University’s Uptown Campus.

Scheduled symposium keynote speakers include:

• Christine Guthrie, University of California – San Francisco
• Peter Sarnow, Stanford University
• Supriya Shivakumar, Sigma-Aldrich
• Robert Singer, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Erik Sontheimer, RNA Therapeutics Institute, U Mass Medical School

This year, the symposium will feature workshops on Genome Editing with CRISPR/Cas Systems. Since 2013, the CRISPR/Cas system has been used for gene editing and gene regulation in a diverse range of species. It has been theorized that, through CRISPR, we may one day be able to alter the genomes of entire populations of organisms. The sessions will be conducted March 17-19.

In addition, the RNA Simulation Workshop “RNA Dynamics: Going In Vitro to In Silico” on March 19 will introduce the theoretical principles underlying computer simulation of biomolecules and provide hands-on experience simulating RNA folding.

The RNA Institute will host the symposium, sponsored by Sigma-Aldrich, one of the world’s leading makers of high technology life science products, with operations in more than 40 countries.

About The RNA Institute

The RNA Institute, working in collaboration with global academic and corporate researchers, fosters a fertile, dynamic research environment that promotes the development of RNA tools and technologies to address challenging human health problems. Since its inception in 2009, federal, state and private investments have resulted in a significant expansion of faculty, research staff, labs and instrumentation, generating increased training and employment for graduate students and post-doctoral workers in RNA human health research. A world-class scientific staff; an array of advanced equipment in a mobile; modern lab infrastructure; public-private collaborations; and a dedication to scientific mentorship advance research that demonstrates broad application.

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