Non-coding RNA Biology: New Roles & Diversity

ABSTRACT Support is requested for a Keystone Symposia conference entitled Non-Coding RNA Biology: New Roles and Diversity, organized by Drs. Sebastian Kadener, Irene Bozzoni and Luisa Cochella. The conference will be held in Keystone, Colorado from January 27–31, 2025. Recent investigation into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have revealed a wide range of key functions in both cellular

and organismal processes. These molecules come in varied sizes and shapes, ranging from small to large, linear to circular, containing standard nucleotides to heavily modified structures. Some ncRNAs are known to regulate gene expression at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels by facilitating or disrupting interactions

between RNA-RNA, protein-RNA or DNA-RNA complexes. However, while the field has focused on identification of ncRNAs and molecular mechanisms, their diverse in vivo functions are only beginning to emerge. Therefore, this conference program was designed to reveal these essential functions of ncRNAs to fill this

knowledge gap. The sessions are organized to promote crosstalk and synergy between researchers working on distinct types of RNAs, to elucidate common mechanisms of action or impacts on common cellular processes and outcomes. The goal is to unite different sub-fields of ncRNA research, by bringing together

scientists studying different systems, approaches and types of ncRNAs, as well as mRNAs with non-coding functions, to collectively address key roles in cellular and organismal biology. This conference will be held jointly with the Keystone Symposium on RNA Mediated Regulation of Immunity: Mechanism, Disease and

Therapeutics to enable cross-disciplinary insights and collaborations towards mechanisms and impacts of ncRNA on immune system function.