RNA Modifications: Bridging Biological Function and Therapeutic Potential

RNA Modifications: Bridging Biological Function and Therapeutic Potential is organized by Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology and will be held from Mar 09 - 12, 2026 at Keystone Resort, Keystone, Colorado, United States of America.

Description:
The rapid increase in RNA modification studies in higher organisms now established that chemical modifications of nucleotides regulate RNA metabolism, modulate cell functions and contribute to severe human diseases including cancer and metabolic disorders. Moreover, the power of single chemically modified nucleotides to alter the electrostatic charge, base pairing and stability of RNA molecules is exploited for clinical use of stable artificial RNA transcripts such as mRNA vaccines or synthetic small RNA molecules to increase or decrease the expression of therapeutic proteins. 

The meeting will highlight recent developments and focus on future aspects and current challenges of the field: 

• Showcasing novel molecular functions of RNA modifications, 
• Critical evaluation of language models predicting RNA modifications & function, 
• Highlight novel RNA therapeutics, 
• Discuss novel RNA engineering and editing approaches, and 
• Feature novel insights in RNA modification functions in human diseases. 

In summary, the meeting will provide a broad overview how basic science discoveries have unraveled the molecular and cellular functions of RNA modifications, provided new prospects for therapeutic manipulation and led to a range of innovative clinical approaches. Our program will bring together field-leading experts from across the globe covering multidisciplinary aspects of RNA modification research from chemistry, clinical applications, bioengineering and industry. Our comprehensive program provides young scientists with a broad view of state-of-the-art research in the field that is not available in other meetings or workshop centered around RNA more generally.