RNA
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a class of nucleic acid molecules that participates in the flow of genetic information and in the regulation of cellular processes.
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a class of nucleic acid molecules that participates in the flow of genetic information and in the regulation of cellular processes. Different RNA species can serve as templates for protein production, components of molecular machines, regulatory molecules, or signals detected by innate immune pathways. Its biological activity depends not only on nucleotide sequence but also on chemical modification, three-dimensional folding, subcellular localization, and interactions with proteins, lipids, and other nucleic acids.
RNA is also an important biomedical target and therapeutic material. Messenger RNA (mRNA) can be used to transiently express a protein, whereas small interfering RNA (siRNA) can reduce expression of a selected gene. RNA-based approaches are being investigated in fibrosis, cancer, genetic eye diseases, gene editing, and immunotherapy. Current research includes delivery with lipid nanoparticles and other transporters, stabilization through solid formulations, modulation of RNA sensing by MDA5 and RIG-I, targeting of modified transcripts such as m6A-containing mRNA, and the discovery of small molecules that bind structured RNA. Related work connects RNA with DNA, transcription, protein translation, CRISPR, RNA sequencing, lipid nanoparticles, reactive oxygen species, tumor microenvironment biology, and cancer.
Rebuilt from PubMed 16 Sept 2026 · no new papers today
Where the papers sit
18 papers study rna directly. Those 18 are one subject: RNA Biology and Therapeutics. RNA research here spans structure prediction, delivery systems, formulation, and disease applications in cancer, fibrosis, and corneal repair. The topics share RNA as a platform but show no unified biological question or directional trend. No way of splitting those 18 scores better than chance. 2 new directions follow.
RNA can function as a phase-separating material whose folding state controls intermolecular association
The tetra-loop 14-mer hairpin RNA model shows that RNA is not merely a sequence, therapeutic cargo, or regulatory template but a material capable of forming protein-free associated phases. Its folded and unfolded conformations produce different energetic barriers and distinct associated states, indicating that RNA structure itself governs phase behavior and expands RNA’s role to the physical organization of biomolecular matter 42550103Aug.
RNA can serve as a chemically transformed substrate for bioorthogonal catalysis in living cells
The copper-cluster metal-organic frameworks, particularly MOF-248-NH2, use defined catalytic pores to recognize and cleave or form RNA bonds intracellularly, and to activate sgRNA for CRISPR/Cas9 editing. This assigns RNA a role beyond cargo, target, or gene-regulatory molecule: it becomes a substrate undergoing controlled catalytic conversion by a synthetic intracellular catalyst 42338353Jun.
Recent Findings on RNA
RNA Applications and Biology: Non-coding RNAs, molecular panels, and advanced imaging are being integrated to guide thyroid cancer decisions and minimal residual disease monitoring 42725427Sep. Chronic type II interferon releases mitochondrial double-stranded RNA, activating type I interferon and prostaglandin E2 synthesis, while IGF2BP3 stabilizes m6A-modified CENPA mRNA to promote paclitaxel resistance 42721225Sep42720822Sep. RNA therapies increasingly combine cargoes and delivery systems: ID3 mRNA with MMP9 siRNA reduced fibrotic scarring, CART nanoparticles delivered circular RNA and CRISPR/Cas9 to corneal endothelium, and tumor microenvironment-triggered RNA binding amplified photo-STING therapy 42722164Sep42627922Aug42714526Sep. Formulation results depend on molecular and process conditions, with sucrose outperforming trehalose in tested spray-freeze-dried RNA lipid nanoparticles and annealing improving stability 42717177Sep. Structural and computational studies now connect RNA conformation with phase separation, pseudoknot design, small-molecule binding, rRNA-dependent translation, and programmable intracellular cleavage, moving RNA research toward structure-guided engineering and therapeutic control 42550103Aug42658961Aug42035667Apr42391322Jul42338353Jun.
Written from 18 PubMed abstracts, each one cited by PMID above. Published: 2026-09-12. Last written: 2026-09-13 by GPT. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.