2023 RNA Nanotechnology Gordon Research Conference and Seminar

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PROJECT SUMMARY This R13 application requests partial funding to support the upcoming Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on RNA Nanotechnology, which will be held in Ventura, CA on Jan 8-13, 2023, and the associated Gordon Research Symposium (GRS), to precede it on Jan 7-8. The meeting will be co-chaired by Louise Laurent and Sarah Woodson, who were elected at the second GRC on RNA Nanotechnology in January 2017 and served as the co-vice chairs of the third GRC in January 2019. The conference planned for 2021 was postponed by the GRC due to the COVID pandemic. RNA nanotechnology continues to grow as an important field, with active research being carried out to elucidate basic principles of and develop innovative approaches to the design and construction of a variety of RNA nanostructures, as well as exciting work applying RNA nanotechnology to solving problems in biotechnology and medicine. The pace of discovery and innovation has only accelerated in the past two years. RNA nanotechnology is built upon unique properties of RNA, including structural versatility, existing biological functions, and ease of functionalization, which make it an ideal platform on which to build complex self-assembling architectures with a variety of functional attributes for diverse applications. This GRC focuses on linking fundamental studies on the mechanisms of RNA structure, assembly, and packaging to translational work using RNA nanotechnology in imaging, diagnostics, and therapeutics. The meeting will cover a range of topics in nine sessions. Sessions on RNA Modifications & Biotypes, RNA Structure & Assembly, and Synthetic & Programmed Nucleic Acid Assemblies will feature cutting-edge research on the molecular basis of nucleic acid architectures, design and characterization of nucleic acid nanostructures, and biophysical approaches to study and predict RNA folding. Emerging new applications of nucleic acid architectures as functional devices and as control elements in synthetic biology will be presented in sessions on RNA Aptamers & Riboswitches and RNA Imaging. Sessions on RNA Encapsulation & Delivery, RNA Cargo Selection in extracellular vesicles, RNA-based Biomarkers & Diagnostics, and RNA Therapeutics will provide perspectives on discovery, isolation and application of RNA from extracellular vesicles and viruses with an emphasis on translational aspects of natural and synthetic RNAs in development of diagnostics and therapeutics. The 2023 conference will continue to emphasize robust representation of women and minority scientists. The invited speakers and discussion leaders will include a mix of established researchers in the field and outstanding junior-level investigators from around the world. The meeting will be advertised to a diverse audience to include early career and under-represented minority scientists in the RNA nanotechnology and related fields. A Power Hour will feature topics of inclusion and opportunity.