Advances in RNA therapeutics and diagnostics

In recent years, the profile of RNA biology research has been rising at a remarkable rate. Highlighted further by the Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of mRNA vaccines, research into developing RNA-based therapeutics and diagnostics is of topical interest to the biomedical sciences, providing huge opportunities for the development of novel clinical applications.

From alternative splicing to mRNA translation, mRNA stability and localisation, to the role of the regulatory noncoding RNAs including microRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs and much more, basic RNA biology encompasses innumerable processes associated with disease. Many types of drugs are being explored, including, famously, mRNA-based vaccines, siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides. In parallel, technologies that enable in vivo delivery of RNA-based therapeutic agents to target tissues are also being developed (e.g. lipid nanoparticles).

RNA biology can also inform diagnosis, prognosis and disease management. During the recent pandemic, PCR-based assays for the detection of Covid-19 ssRNA and sub-genomic RNA were rapidly developed and employed effectively. More generally, transcriptomics and associated techniques can be used to measure levels of alternative splice variants, and of the many forms of regulatory RNAs (microRNA, lncRNA, circRNA etc) that act as disease biomarkers.

This Special Issue of the British Journal of Biomedical Science aims to draw attention to the promising new avenues of research for the development and evaluation of RNA-based therapies and clinical tests, as well as the research that underpins these clinical applications.

Many article types are welcomed, including original research papers, reviews, mini-reviews and Biomedical Science in Brief articles.

Any questions? Please email the Editorial Office.

IBMS Members
IBMS members can benefit from a full waiver of the APC and should email the Editorial Office with their IBMS membership reference number prior to submission of the manuscript to confirm their waiver.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Biomedical Science in Brief
• Case Report
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Biomedical Science in Brief
• Case Report
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Review

Keywords: RNA biology, microRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs, mRNA translation