Frontiers and Challenges in RNA Research

WANG Puyue¹*, WANG Yangming², HUANG Yan³, LI Minglu⁴, TIAN Yanyan¹, LÜ Qunyan¹, XU Yanying¹, GU Ruisheng¹

(¹Department of Life Science, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing 100085, China; ²College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; ³Department of Chemistry, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing 100085, China; ⁴Bureau of Planning and Policy, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing 100085, China)

Abstract:

RNA (ribonucleic acid) is one of the three core molecules of the “Central Dogma” in life sciences. Studies on how RNA molecules regulate cell activities have become one of the most rapidly developing frontiers in life science and an important driving force for the future biotechnology revolution. It is in line with the current needs of biomedical and agricultural science development to promote interdisciplinary integration as well as to further strengthen breakthroughs in original theories, technologies, and transformation applications in the RNA field. Based on the discussion of the “Frontiers and Challenges of RNA Research” at the 337th Shuang Qing Forum of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, this review analyses the history of RNA research and the important position of RNA study in the biotechnology revolution, elaborates on the scientific value and strategic significance of RNA research, as well as the main progress and important achievements of RNA research in China. Finally, key scientific issues and research directions that need to be urgently addressed and deployed by the Natural Science Foundation of China in this field over the next 5-10 years are proposed, as well as policy recommendations for promoting the revolutionary development of RNA basic and applied basic research.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2023.10.0018