RNA + Us

RNA research as a network

This website was developed as an initiative of the research network "NCCR RNA & Disease". The "NCCR RNA & Disease" is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the University of Bern and ETH…
RNA + Society

NCCR RNA & Disease at Scientifica 2023

This year's Scientifica ran under the theme "What holds the world together" and over 20'000 people visited the exhibition on September 2 and 3 at the three venues of ETHZ and the University of Zurich.…
RNA + Research

Molecular ‘hub’ regulates gene-silencing proteins

To keep their vital functions in balance, many organisms use small snippets of RNA to ‘silence’ messenger RNAs that code for certain proteins. New research from FMI scientists revealed a molecular hub…
RNA + Us

#NCCRWomen Campaign

The NCCR RNA & Disease participates in the #NCCRWomen campaign and publishes five portraits with female researchers from our network!
RNA + Research

Adipose tissue as a culprit: How obesity leads to diabetes

Obesity is a well-known risk factor for diabetes and fatty liver disease. Recently, the research team led by Prof. Michael N. Hall at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, has discovered that a…
RNA + Society

"Molecool - Cosmos RNA" at Night of Research

The NCCR RNA & Disease participated in the Research Night of the University of Bern with the exhibition "Cosmos RNA - The Code of Life". Visitors could discover posters on RNA-related topics, perform…
RNA + Society

Can mRNA Vaccines Cure Cancer?

The documentary "42 - The Answer to Almost Everything" documentary "Can mRNA Vaccines Cure Cancer?" by arte explores the question of whether messenger RNA vaccination technology could soon be used to…
RNA + Research

"The coronavirus could be defeated with a drug"

A large study led by researchers at ETH Zurich – that also involved groups at the Universities of Bern, Lausanne and Cork (Ireland) – has revealed that a specific chemical molecule is able to…
RNA + Research

Creation of a detailed "catalogue" of degradation products in cells

Cells have their own quality control to prevent the production and accumulation of harmful proteins. This quality control is essential for correct embryonic development in all mammals and plays an…
RNA + Research

In vitro Zoo helps in understanding SARS-CoV-2

A team of researchers from the Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK) at the University of Bern and the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) have used a unique collection of advanced cell…
RNA + Knowledge

RNA - central molecule of life

While most people know the term "DNA", the term "RNA" is less familiar. What is RNA and why are we devoting an entire website to this molecule? Here we give you an overview of the many functions of…
RNA + Research

The Achilles heel of the Coronavirus

SARS-​CoV-2 is critically dependent on a special mechanism for the production of its proteins. A collaborative team led by a research group at ETH Zurich obtained molecular insights into this process…
RNA + Research

SARS-CoV-2 mutations in competition

How dangerous are new mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus?
RNA + Society

No Denial

The recent findings on how the SARS-CoV-2 Protein NSP1 inhibits cellular translation published by three NCCR RNA & Disease groups (Ban group at ETHZ, Mühlemann and Thiel group at University of Bern)…
RNA + Research

Mechanism discovered how the coronavirus hijacks the cell

Researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Bern have discovered a mechanism by which the corona virus manipulates human cells to ensure its own replication. This knowledge will help to develop…
RNA + Research

Corona vaccine at a fast pace

Vaccines are needed in the fight against the new coronavirus. Steve Pascolo from the University of Zurich and an associated member of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) "RNA &…
RNA + Research

RNA: a new star in medical science

It was long in the shadow of DNA. But now, RNA is laying down real competition for its bigger sister, as it offers a broad range of potential medical applications. We look at a selection of them.

RNA + You

RNA eater

Destroy the RNA strands with your enzyme before they saturate the entire cell!
RNA + Knowledge

The RNA - a multitalent in the cell

In order to understand life at the molecular level, science has strongly focused on the study of DNA and proteins for many decades.
RNA + Research

RNA as a future cure for hereditary diseases

ETH Zurich scientists have developed an RNA molecule that can be used in bone marrow cells to correct genetic errors that affect protein production. Patients suffering from a rare hereditary disease…
RNA + Knowledge

From gene to gene product: Gene expression

Whenever the cell requires a certain protein, the gene for this protein is transcribed into a messenger molecule, the mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid).
RNA + Research

RNA as a tool

In the laboratory, RNA molecules can be used as tools to study and better understand cellular processes. Two frequently used techniques are RNA interference and the gene scissors.