Chemical modifications of RNA nucleotides, collectively referred to as the epitranscriptome, represent an additional layer of information encoded in transcribed RNA sequences to regulate their activities. Emerging research in this field focuses on characterizing the structural diversity of RNA modifications and elucidating their roles in biological pathways, which is supported by new technology development and mechanistic analysis capabilities. These advances are deepening our understanding of the function and regulation of RNA modifications, as well as their roles in human infection, immunity and disease. These basic discoveries in epitranscriptomics are being translated toward the clinic at an accelerating rate, with the advancement of RNA-based medicines, such as mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs).

This conference will bring together leading experts focused on RNA modifications, technology development and medicine to discuss cutting edge research, evaluate data standards in the field and identify opportunities for the translational potential of targeting RNA modification pathways. We anticipate that participants of this conference will benefit by sharing results on this rapidly advancing topic, but also in defining the future direction of the field and creating new collaborations to accelerate progress. This meeting will be held jointly with the Regulatory RNAs: Emerging Mechanisms Keystone Symposium, which will be highly synergistic given that modifications of RNA diversify and control regulatory RNA functions.