Center for RNA Biology and Medicine |

The Center for RNA Biology and Medicine at the University of California, Riverside is a multi-disciplinary research center that builds upon UCR’s deep and unique strengths in RNA research and facilitates interdisciplinary interactions to promote fundamental science discoveries and to address RNA-centric industrial, biomedical, and therapeutic needs.

"RNA and the Cycle of Life"

As a child, Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Founding Director of the Center for RNA Biology and Medicine, Sika Zheng, PhD., was fascinated by the cycle of life and death. That interest led him to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. Now he and his team are working on ways to make neurons live longer and searching for protective mechanisms.

Join us for the 2025 RNA Symposium!!

The 3rd annual symposium Center for RNA Biology and Medicine will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025 at the Highlander Union Building, conference room 302 - University of California, Riverside!

Registration is free but encouraged for catering estimates. Registration will include access to the digital symposium program, poster session and highlights, and lunch. Parking details will be shared via email after registration submission.

Our keynote speaker is Lynne E. Maquat, PhD., J. Lowell Orbison Endowed Chair and Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics who holds concomitant appointments in Pediatrics and in Oncology, Founding Director of the Center for RNA Biology, and Founding Chair of Graduate Women in Science at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.

Other symposium speakers include the following prominent scientists, Shou-wei Ding, PhD., Distinguished Professor & Plant Pathologist, Microbiology & Plant Pathology Department, University of California, Riverside. Lin He, PhD., Professor & Thomas and Stacey Siebel Distinguished Chair in Stem Cell Research, Dept. of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley. Klemens Hertel, PhD., Professor, & Chair, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine. Tracy Johnson, PhD., Dean of the Life Sciences Division, Keith and Cecilia Terasaki Presidential Endowed Chair, Professor, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology,

University of California, Los Angeles. Daniel Lim, MD, PhD., Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco. Amy Pasquinelli, PhD., Professor, Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences University of California, San Diego. Kathrin Plath, PhD., Professor, Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles.

Join us for an amazing day filled with excellent science and posters! Registration will open July 7th!

Symposium registration

Publications

"Shiba: a versatile computational method for systematic identification of differential RNA splicing across platforms"

Authors: Naoto Kubota, Liang Chen, Sika Zheng

Publication date: February 25, 2025

"Single-molecule tracking reveals dynamic regulation of ribosomal scanning"

Authors: Hea Jin Hong, Antonia L. Zhang, Adam B. Conn, Gregor Blaha, Seán E. O’Leary

Publication date: October 2, 2024

"Translation initiation factor eIF1.2 promotes Toxoplasma stage conversion by regulating levels of key differentiation factors"

Authors: Fengrong Wang 1, Michael J Holmes 2, Hea Jin Hong 3, Pariyamon Thaprawat 1 4, Geetha Kannan 1, My-Hang Huynh 1, Tracey L Schultz 1, M Haley Licon 5, Sebastian Lourido 5 6, Wenzhao Dong 7 8 9, Jailson Brito Querido 7 8 9, William J Sullivan Jr 2 10, Seán E O'Leary 3 11, Vern B Carruthers 12

Publication date: May 23, 2024

Recruitment Opportunities

The Division of Biomedical Sciences within the School of Medicine at the University of California Riverside is seeking to hire three new faculty members at the tenure track assistant professor, tenured associate or full professor rank. The search area is broadly defined, including RNA.

See the job posting at AP Recruit

Our Research

Key areas of current research include the elucidation of RNA biogenesis, RNA processing and modifications, RNA coding of phenotypic variability, and establishing the role of RNA in disease and the exploration of RNA-based-and RNA-targeted therapies.

Visit our Research page

Our Investigators

Center investigators are a composition of diverse, talented, and accomplished researchers united by a common goal: to understand the role of RNA across biology and medicine fields.

Meet our Investigators

Recruitment

The Center is planning to recruit new talented RNA researchers to UCR. We anticipate growth of our center in partnership with UCR School of Medicine, CNAS and BCOE.

Learn more about recruitment

Donate to Support RNA Research

We thank our donors for their generosity to support the RNA community and innovative RNA research at UCR.

Make a gift to support our research