"If the second half of the 20th century was the century of DNA, then the 21st century is the century of RNA!"
"In this current era, in the field of RNA, be a scientist."
"In 2024, consider spreading more awareness about RNA through science communication..."
On the last day of February, nearly 420,000 people tuned in online to witness the live broadcast of the inaugural academic symposium at West Lake University. At 9 a.m., three distinguished speakers joined the event virtually, delving into various research areas within RNA biology, from the 1980s and 1990s to the recent Nobel-winning discoveries in 2023.
In the theme report, roundtable discussions, and free questioning sessions spanning two hours, we continued to witness successive forays into cutting-edge scientific exploration, a customary feature of every academic symposium. However, in this particular session, we also observed scientists who stood out in a somewhat unconventional manner.
We often characterize this group of individuals as engaging in "diligent exploration," embodying traits of rigor, seriousness, and precision. Yet, when three scholars delved into the realm of RNA, especially when engaging in scholarly discourse on purely academic matters with their peers, they stepped beyond these conventional labels—
Professor Phillip A. Sharp, a Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 1993, currently serves as an Institute Professor at MIT and is a member of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. With his hair graying at the temples, he's often eager to participate during Q&A sessions, signaling his intent to speak up. While responding to a question from a student in the audience, he couldn't wait to share a recently published RNA research article. Although it wasn't his own work, he was visibly excited, speaking rapidly and with animated gestures, clearly very familiar with the advancements of his peers.
Professor Thomas R. Cech won the Nobel Prize a bit earlier, in 1989, for Chemistry. Currently, he holds the position of Distinguished Professor and Researcher in Biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. Despite being just a few years older than Sharp, when discussing his experiments, he seamlessly throws in a few self-deprecating jokes, sometimes even using humor that only experts would understand.
The third speaker was Professor Katalin Karikó from the University of Pennsylvania, who just won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine a few months ago. She's probably the most well-known scientist among the three, thanks to the patent she co-invented on pseudouridine-modified mRNA, which was used to create mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. Riding on this wave of fame, she announced her New Year's plan to do more RNA science communication, with several popular science books already on their way.
Karikó's commitment to science communication aligns perfectly with our original intention for this academic seminar. Last week, we collected the "First Dragon Year Question" from the public and selected some for the three scholars to address, covering topics on RNA research and the cultivation of scientific taste. Despite not fully understanding the academic reports, the Q&A session, watched by 420,000 live viewers, was enlightening for many, especially the last question on self-growth, which is valuable for everyone, regardless of their field or focus on RNA research.
Q1
Can RNA medicines replace traditional drugs and treatments?
Karikó believes the future possibilities depend on our imagination. Currently, RNA medicines still have many areas to improve and are worth exploring further by young researchers. One challenge is the need for specific proteins to help the injected RNA medicines transfer between different cell layers, as current technology doesn't allow for direct injection of RNA medicines into certain locations, like the kidneys. Moreover, the body itself produces correctly modified proteins, so regardless of where the RNA medicine is injected, it results in a highly glycosylated protein, leaving a lot of uncertainty about the effectiveness of RNA medicines.
Shi Yigong, president of Westlake University, and the three scholars also participated in a Q&A session. Regarding this question, he believes RNA medicines will definitely have a place in future clinical treatments, though it's still uncertain to what extent. Sharp is also very hopeful about the large-scale application of RNA medicines in treating diseases.
Q2
What role will AI technology play in RNA research?
Cech believes that artificial intelligence can help predict RNA structures and the interactions between RNA and proteins, but machine learning requires large training sets, and currently, RNA's training set is not as substantial as that of proteins.
Karikó thinks AI technology can be used for selecting therapeutic targets and then designing corresponding RNA medicines for those target proteins.
Sharp is very excited about the application of AI in biological research and has high hopes for young researchers with backgrounds in both biology and algorithm development. Over the past three years, he has been collaborating with colleagues from the MIT Computer Science Department, trying to predict RNA splicing patterns through genome sequencing. "We know the splicing sites of each RNA, but using machine learning to infer RNA splicing information is still challenging, and we are trying to use algorithms to decipher how RNA-binding proteins guide the selection of splicing sites."
Q3
Which research direction in life sciences holds promise for the future?
"Many people have asked me what is the most exciting and successful thing to do, but what we should really do is become experts through constant learning and then open up new fields," Karikó did not provide a direct answer, "It's hard to see what the future holds; we just need to do well in the present."
Cech also agrees with this perspective, considering it a common state for nearly all researchers over a long period. All early research is fundamental, initially aimed at understanding how the world works, but these studies eventually become key to treating diseases. "It's a great story, and we need to understand the importance of basic research, not just consider disease treatment. We need to balance basic and applied research."
Sharp, as always, answered the question with data and examples, sharing two recent research papers to illustrate that the exploration of RNA biology is far from over, let alone using RNA for disease treatment. There's still a long way to go for researchers in this field.
The final question came from a young student in the audience: Could three accomplished senior scientists offer some guidance or advice for the struggles young researchers face?
Their answers were brief, yet thought-provoking.
Professor Thomas R. Cech responded first: Why pursue a Ph.D.? The path to scientific research isn't straight; it has its ups and downs, twists and turns. Is it really worth it just to add "Ph.D." after your name? To continue on this path, you must love what you do; if not, perhaps your talents would be better utilized elsewhere.
Professor Katalin Karikó followed up: You must find joy. I find great joy in my research. To achieve this happiness, you need to maintain physical health, so increase your physical activities; you need to keep mentally healthy, learn how to handle stress, face failures and criticism positively, and see the opportunities to learn and gain experience from them.
Professor Phillip A. Sharp's answer tied back to the theme of the day's event: What I want to say is that research is a captivating life choice. I can't imagine any other profession that could immerse me so deeply—especially in this era, in the field of RNA, as a scientist.
These were the responses from three Nobel laureates. As seasoned scientists in the RNA field, with an average age of 75, it was clear, even through the screen, that they remain as enthusiastic about academic advancements and welcoming new technologies as they were in their youth.
Seasoned scientists sharing their insights is perhaps the greatest value of academic conferences beyond the science itself, especially for young scientists, researchers, and students—
Research isn't a straight path; it demands profound passion.
Above this passion, gender and age don't matter.
(Original title: Nobel Laureates Advise on Site: If the Love Isn't There, Better to Apply Your Talents Elsewhere)
