RNA Horizons 2025: Advancing the Frontiers of RNA Therapeutics
This year’s conference, held in Palermo, Sicily, brought together leading scientists, clinicians, and industry experts to explore the latest frontiers in RNA biology and RNA therapeutic innovation. The three-day symposium reflected the growing momentum of RNA research and its translation into practical medicine.
Two key themes stood out throughout the sessions:
- The challenge of achieving sustained stability and targeted persistence of therapeutic RNA molecules, including antisense oligonucleotides and self-amplifying RNA.
- The integration of multidisciplinary approaches connecting basic science, clinical development, and industrial application.
Scientific Highlights
Prof. Ernesto Guccione presented NATURA, an innovative approach for measuring RNA delivery and functional activity at scale.
Prof. Shai Rosenberg demonstrated how transcriptomic models can guide personalized therapeutic strategies.
Prof. Ron Weiss presented microRNA-based logic circuits capable of identifying cancer cells with remarkable precision.
From Discovery to the Clinic
On the therapeutic front, Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro presented 3D-printed tumoroids for evaluating the effects of nanoparticles on immune system activation.
Prof. Claudio Stea discussed RNA splicing dysregulation as both a hallmark and a therapeutic vulnerability in cancer.
Prof. Rotem Karni described how m⁶A-dependent RNA regulation shapes tumor biology.
Prof. Michal Lotem demonstrated how disrupting RNA splicing can reveal hidden targets for immunotherapy.
Beyond oncology, Prof. Emanuele Buratti, Dr. Christopher Ricupero, Prof. Igor Elitsur, and Prof. Anna Krichavsky presented RNA-based strategies for metabolic and neurodevelopmental diseases, highlighting the expanding therapeutic potential of RNA across a broad range of medical fields.
According to the RNA Horizons Steering Committee:
“The 2025 conference reflected the power of collaboration between science, medicine, and industry. Open knowledge exchange among researchers, clinicians, and innovators is accelerating RNA technologies from discovery toward real-world therapies.”
