March 2024 – NIEHS has co-sponsored a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) that provides a road map to develop the capacity to sequence any RNA molecule from any biological system with all its modifications. NIEHS has been growing its portfolio related to RNA sequencing and epitranscriptomics research for years, but more needs to be done to develop the technology to advance the field. The report provides priorities and milestones for a 15-year initiative to advance technology, centralize data resources, expand research and develop standards, and cultivate a skilled workforce in the field. Previous large-scale scientific efforts, like the Human Genome Project, have shown that focused organization, collaboration, and funding directed toward a set of well-defined goals can accelerate technological advancement.

Tags: NASEM, RNA, National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine