Final Report Summary - RNATRAIN (The European non-coding RNA network)
The regions encompassing protein coding potential (exons) in humans only amount to about 2% of the genome. New sequencing technologies have evidenced that mammalian genomes are pervasively transcribed and have revealed the existence of multiple classes of non-coding RNA´s (ncRNAs). Although our knowledge on the multitude of transcripts produced by the 98% of the genome is still very sketchy, pivotal roles have been established for ncRNAs in organismal development and homeostasis, in cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis and in a broad range of human pathologies.
Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) is a new research field in rapid development. It holds the potential to explain many fundamental biological phenomena and there is a vast prospective for the development of ncRNA-derived diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Hence, there is a substantial need for the training of scientists in ncRNA biology, methodology and exploitation.
The RNAtrain network consisted of 9 leading European ncRNA groups and 3 companies from 8 countries. The network trained 10 PhD students and 3 postdoctoral fellows. Following an international recruitment process, the fellows came from China, Iran, India, Egypt, Vietnam, Singapore, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland and Portugal. The recruited fellows exhibited an equal gender balance of 7 female and 6 male fellows. Thus, RNAtrain integrated complementary skills and knowledge from a diverse and international set of fellows and PIs, which enabled a synergistic approach to the scientific projects and turned out to be the key for the success of the network.
As a training network, RNAtrain aimed at providing young scientists with state-of-the-art knowledge and hands-on experience within the ncRNA research field. The exchange of scientific knowledge and methods in the network was accomplished through secondments, where each fellow visited other labs or companies in order to learn and train new techniques. Also, the exchange of knowhow between academia and industry was enhanced through the In situ hybridization technique courses that were arranged for all fellows in the network.
Furthermore, the fellows were trained in a broad range of transferrable skills, which will heighten the employability in both industry and academia.
The RNAtrain project was divided into six work packages of which the first three focused on the research training: WP1 Dynamics of ncRNA transcriptional landscapes, WP2 Functional screening and characterization, and WP3 The ncRNA interactomes. WP4 covered the network training events in which the training objectives were pursued through a defined set of transferable research skills covered under the headings: Scientific approach, Project planning, Ethics in research, Scientific communication and collaboration, Scientific outreach, Commercialization of research, Leadership skills, Career development, Employment, and Supervision. WP5 covered the network outreach activities and WP6 network management.
During the project period the network organized 6 network events covering the Kick-off meeting, 4 Workshops, 2 Summer Schools, 2 Technical training events. Furthermore, the network partnered with the RNA Society to sponsor a session on non-coding RNA as part of the international RNA2017 conference held in Prague, where also one PI and one of the fellows were invited to talk. The workshops covered the ten transferable research skills and was mediated by Leadership Sculptor. The technical training events covered methods for studying RNA:protein interactions, and HTP computational approaches, respectively. Both Summer Schools featured external speakers focusing on ncRNA biology, career development and commercialization of research.
The network training events were held with approximately 9 months intervals and at each event, the fellows presented their project progress and held meetings with their supervisor and co-supervisor to discuss and update the project plan and the career development plan.
During the project period the RNAtrain fellows developed a strong and collaborative network. This resulted in the exchange of scientific tools and technical knowhow as well as many suggestions of additional experimental approaches.
The RNAtrain project achieved a number of exiting results of importance to the ncRNA research field:
• Developed several computational tools to aid in the studies of ncRNAs
• Quantified and monitored the transcriptional dynamics of ncRNAs in a broad range of model systems encompassing both mature tissues, normal development, cell culture model systems and several pathologies.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in senescence.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in autophagy.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in cell cycle regulation.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in muscle differentiation.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in oocyte-to-zygote transition.
• Established and evaluated novel tools for studying the ncRNA protein and RNA interactomes.
• Identified proteins binding to ncRNAs following genotoxic stress.
• Established a series of models for bioluminescent xenograft studies and used these to evaluate the importance of ncRNA for tumor development in vivo.
• Optimized commercial tools for the functional analysis of ncRNAs.
• Established strategies for in situ detection of ncRNAs in cells and tissues.
Collectively, the RNAtrain consortium published 18 publications in international and peer-reviewed journals, while several additional manuscripts are in planning.
Two of the RNAtrain fellows have defended their thesis successfully until now, and several of the fellows are right on the edge of submitting their thesis, due to extension of their PhD projects beyond the 3 year funded period of RNAtrain. All ER´s extended their contracts with partner organizations after the end of RNA train funding, and after 1 year, two of them are still hired with the network partners.
In summary, RNAtrain has succeeded in training a cohort of young dedicated early stage researchers, at the best level, focusing on the functions and potentials of ncRNAs in future research and development.
Contact Information:
Website: www.rnatrain.ku.dk
Scientific coordinator of the project:
Anders H. Lund:
Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC),
University of Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark
anders.lund@bric.ku.dk
Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) is a new research field in rapid development. It holds the potential to explain many fundamental biological phenomena and there is a vast prospective for the development of ncRNA-derived diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Hence, there is a substantial need for the training of scientists in ncRNA biology, methodology and exploitation.
The RNAtrain network consisted of 9 leading European ncRNA groups and 3 companies from 8 countries. The network trained 10 PhD students and 3 postdoctoral fellows. Following an international recruitment process, the fellows came from China, Iran, India, Egypt, Vietnam, Singapore, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland and Portugal. The recruited fellows exhibited an equal gender balance of 7 female and 6 male fellows. Thus, RNAtrain integrated complementary skills and knowledge from a diverse and international set of fellows and PIs, which enabled a synergistic approach to the scientific projects and turned out to be the key for the success of the network.
As a training network, RNAtrain aimed at providing young scientists with state-of-the-art knowledge and hands-on experience within the ncRNA research field. The exchange of scientific knowledge and methods in the network was accomplished through secondments, where each fellow visited other labs or companies in order to learn and train new techniques. Also, the exchange of knowhow between academia and industry was enhanced through the In situ hybridization technique courses that were arranged for all fellows in the network.
Furthermore, the fellows were trained in a broad range of transferrable skills, which will heighten the employability in both industry and academia.
The RNAtrain project was divided into six work packages of which the first three focused on the research training: WP1 Dynamics of ncRNA transcriptional landscapes, WP2 Functional screening and characterization, and WP3 The ncRNA interactomes. WP4 covered the network training events in which the training objectives were pursued through a defined set of transferable research skills covered under the headings: Scientific approach, Project planning, Ethics in research, Scientific communication and collaboration, Scientific outreach, Commercialization of research, Leadership skills, Career development, Employment, and Supervision. WP5 covered the network outreach activities and WP6 network management.
During the project period the network organized 6 network events covering the Kick-off meeting, 4 Workshops, 2 Summer Schools, 2 Technical training events. Furthermore, the network partnered with the RNA Society to sponsor a session on non-coding RNA as part of the international RNA2017 conference held in Prague, where also one PI and one of the fellows were invited to talk. The workshops covered the ten transferable research skills and was mediated by Leadership Sculptor. The technical training events covered methods for studying RNA:protein interactions, and HTP computational approaches, respectively. Both Summer Schools featured external speakers focusing on ncRNA biology, career development and commercialization of research.
The network training events were held with approximately 9 months intervals and at each event, the fellows presented their project progress and held meetings with their supervisor and co-supervisor to discuss and update the project plan and the career development plan.
During the project period the RNAtrain fellows developed a strong and collaborative network. This resulted in the exchange of scientific tools and technical knowhow as well as many suggestions of additional experimental approaches.
The RNAtrain project achieved a number of exiting results of importance to the ncRNA research field:
• Developed several computational tools to aid in the studies of ncRNAs
• Quantified and monitored the transcriptional dynamics of ncRNAs in a broad range of model systems encompassing both mature tissues, normal development, cell culture model systems and several pathologies.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in senescence.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in autophagy.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in cell cycle regulation.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in muscle differentiation.
• Identified and characterized ncRNA of importance in oocyte-to-zygote transition.
• Established and evaluated novel tools for studying the ncRNA protein and RNA interactomes.
• Identified proteins binding to ncRNAs following genotoxic stress.
• Established a series of models for bioluminescent xenograft studies and used these to evaluate the importance of ncRNA for tumor development in vivo.
• Optimized commercial tools for the functional analysis of ncRNAs.
• Established strategies for in situ detection of ncRNAs in cells and tissues.
Collectively, the RNAtrain consortium published 18 publications in international and peer-reviewed journals, while several additional manuscripts are in planning.
Two of the RNAtrain fellows have defended their thesis successfully until now, and several of the fellows are right on the edge of submitting their thesis, due to extension of their PhD projects beyond the 3 year funded period of RNAtrain. All ER´s extended their contracts with partner organizations after the end of RNA train funding, and after 1 year, two of them are still hired with the network partners.
In summary, RNAtrain has succeeded in training a cohort of young dedicated early stage researchers, at the best level, focusing on the functions and potentials of ncRNAs in future research and development.
Contact Information:
Website: www.rnatrain.ku.dk
Scientific coordinator of the project:
Anders H. Lund:
Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC),
University of Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark
anders.lund@bric.ku.dk