During her keynote, Cheung shared details on work by her team to turn RNA discoveries into treatments for Alzheimer’s disease as well as juvenile-onset ALS. She also highlighted the need to identify and map the modifications of human RNA through what scientists are calling the Human RNome Project. 

While Cheung’s research focuses on the genetic mechanisms of disease, she believes in the potential of RNA to transform fields beyond medicine. Those include agriculture, where RNA modification could help to engineer better crops and safer pesticides, as well as data storage, where programmable RNA molecules could serve as a medium for archiving digital information at massive scale.

“This is the foundation of what we call the bio future — the new era of science that is information-rich, RNA-centered and grounded in U.S. innovation,” Cheung said.

A showcase of translational science — the practice of ensuring that breakthroughs in basic research advance to make a meaningful medical difference for patients, and that scientific questions identified in the clinic or among patients become research priorities in the lab — the theme of the symposium was “Chronic Diseases: From Cells to Community.” 

A series of short “lighting talks” covered additional applications of RNA discoveries, as well as topics such as using mobile phones to detect structural heart disease, and cranial electrotherapy stimulation for first responders. The 119 on-site participants (who were joined by others, remotely) had the chance to network during the day and engage with poster presentations in the medical school’s spacious lobby. 

Researchers from across the state were on hand to discuss their biomedical projects supported by Rhode Island-based Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence and federal research grants. Topics ranged from “Biomarkers of Neuroplasticity and Immune Function as Predictors of Behavioral Treatment Outcomes in Alcohol Use Disorder” to “Elucidating Mechanisms of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Metabolic Syndrome” to “Variations in Cartilage Thickness 10 years after ACL Reconstruction.” Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School and School of Public Health were well represented among the presenters. 

Angelica Salaverria, a third-year Ph.D. student in therapeutic sciences at Brown, found herself deep in discussion with a researcher from the University of Rhode Island about an ambitious research project in which she is participating, which aims to find new therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer, the fifth deadliest cancer among women.  

“I really wanted to do translational research that had a clear application, so I was very happy to join the lab of Nicole James [an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology (research) at Brown], who is leading this work,” Salaverria said.

Even though the lab where she conducts her research is just down the street from the medical school, Salaverria was excited to connect with other engaged scientists. 

“It’s great to be a part of this to show people the exciting research we’re doing,” she said.