Picture of organizers with keynote speakers: Kristian Baker, Julie Claycomb, Xuhang Liu, Veena Prahlad, Sarah Walker, Monica Pillon, and Shu-Bing Qian. (from left to right)The inaugural Buffalo RNA Symposium convened on June 11, 2025, at the Gaylord Cary Auditorium at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. This event drew nearly 100 RNA researchers, including faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, technicians, and scientists, from across Western New York and beyond, for a full day dedicated to scientific exchange, networking, and collaboration.
The symposium was a collaborative effort, organized by Dr. Xuhang Liu and Dr. Veena Prahlad from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, alongside Dr. Sarah Walker and Dr. Monica Pillon from the University at Buffalo, in partnership with the Buffalo RNA Group (BRG). The program featured three distinguished keynote speakers: Dr. Kristian Baker (Case Western Reserve University), Dr. Julie Claycomb (University of Toronto), and Dr. Shu-Bing Qian (Cornell University). With 10 invited talks and over 60 posters presented in a single day, the symposium truly delivered on the RNA Society's mission of "facilitating, sharing and disseminating experimental results and emerging concepts in RNA research."
The symposium featured four highly engaging scientific sessions:
- The first session,"Mechanisms of mRNA Biogenesis", kicked off with Dr. Kristian Baker's captivating keynote on "Interrogating the RNA and protein interaction networks mediating nonsense-mediated mRNA decay." Two trainees also presented their latest discoveries in RNA biogenesis.
- The second session, "Small RNA in Health and Diseases," highlighted exciting findings from two BRG members on non-canonical small RNAs. Dr. Julie Claycomb then delivered a fascinating keynote titled "Untangling the many tentacles of Argonaute/Small RNA gene regulation in C. elegans."
- In the third session, the audience learned the latest insights into the underlying mechanisms and roles of "lncRNA and Translation" in human diseases from a mix of faculty and trainees.
- The fourth session, "RNA Therapeutics", showcased the significant efforts of two participating laboratories in translating fundamental discoveries into potential RNA therapeutics for treating various human diseases. The symposium culminated in Dr. Shu-Bing Qian's insightful keynote, "Alternative Translation Initiation in Health and Disease."
Feedback on the symposium was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees commending the high quality of presentations and the vibrant discussions throughout the entire meeting.
The organizers are grateful for the financial and administrative support provided by the RNA Society, Lexogen Inc., and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. This support was particularly impactful as it allowed for substantial subsidies for all participating trainees—the next generation of RNA scientists—to attend this event. Special thanks also go to Ms. Natalie Brock for her assistance in managing event logistics and to the more than a dozen dedicated volunteers whose behind-the-scenes work made this such a memorable and impactful event.
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