Center for RNA Biomedicine

2026 RNA Symposium
2026-03-06 - 2026-03-07 | BSRB – Kahn Auditorium
RNA Frontiers: From Mechanisms to Medicine
This year’s symposium explores the dynamic world of RNA, highlighting how fundamental mechanisms and molecular machines are shaping both our understanding of cellular processes and the development of next-generation medical innovations. Through cutting-edge scientific talks and a patient advocacy panel discussion, we will explore a wide range of topics spanning epigenetics, genome editing, RNA structure, and translational research, and discover together how RNA is propelling biological discovery from molecular intricacy to real-world impact in medicine and beyond.

Early bird registration is now open!

Click here to register!

The Center for RNA Biomedicine at the University of Michigan proudly invites you to the 2026 RNA Symposium. Taking place from Friday, March 6 to Saturday, March 7, 2026, this premier event will convene thought leaders and pioneering researchers in the field of RNA science and biomedicine.
Scheduled Speakers:
Shelley Berger, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Karla Neugebauer, Ph.D.
Yale School of Medicine
Madeleine Oudin, Ph.D.
Tufts University
Erik Sontheimer, Ph.D.
UMass Chan Medical School
Nils Walter, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Sarah Woodson, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University

Dates: March 6 – 7, 2026
Kahn Auditorium
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH BUILDING
109 ZINA PITCHER PLACE
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48109
University of Michigan Ann Arbor Campus

RNA Collaborative Seminar: April 8, 10:00 a.m. EDT: University of Michigan Center for RNA Biomedicine and Regensburg Center for Biochemistry
2026-04-08 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Detroit) | Virtual
UPDATE 4.13.2026
The video recording of the seminar is now available to view on our YouTube channel. Visit https://youtu.be/n7zQtI8tfMw?si=EzVmsIyAIag8QHqc
The next RNA Collaborative Seminar to be held virtually Wednesday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. EDT (Eastern, US/Canada).
This seminar will be presented virtually and hosted by the University of Michigan Center for RNA Biomedicine and Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB).
Zoom Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eBYbfEgRTjS27HtF-HXjwQ
Wednesday, April 8th at 10 am ET (Eastern, US/Canada)Hosted by: University of Michigan Center for RNA Biomedicine and Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB)
For more information about the RNA Society and the RNA Collaborative Seminar Series, visit https://www.rnasociety.org/rna-collaborative-seminar-series/

2026 Trainee RNA Seminar - Student-Postdoc Council
2026-04-20 16:00 - 17:00 | BSRB – ABC Seminar rooms, 109 Zina Pitcher Pl, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
We’re excited to invite you to the next 2026 Trainee RNA Seminar on Monday, April 20 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.

This session will feature a chalk talk workshop presented by Dr. Rachel Niederer, Assistant Professor of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Biological Chemistry Dept., Faculty Scholar, Center for RNA Biomedicine.
Dr. Niederer will present her chalk talk, discuss approaches to developing effective and engaging chalk talks, and conclude with time for audience questions.

Date. Time. Location.
Monday, April 20th at 4:00 PM
ABC Seminar Rooms at BSRB.
A Zoom option is also available. To join on Zoom, please visit this link: https://umich.zoom.us/j/92875982672
Trainees are especially encouraged to participate. We look forward to seeing you there!
CRB Student–Postdoc Council

Student-Postdoc Council Webinar with Eclipsebio
2026-04-27 16:00 - 17:00
The Center for RNA Biomedicine Student and Postdoc Council will be hosting a webinar featuring Dr. Wayne Doyle, Director, Platforms and Strategy, Eclipsebio.

Speaker: Wayne Doyle, Ph.D. Head of Scientific Platforms and Strategy

Title of the talk: “Sequencing-first solutions for RNA therapeutic development”

Time: Apr 27, 2026 04:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting–
https://umich.zoom.us/j/93314315337
Meeting ID: 933 1431 5337

Abstract:

“Despite rapid advances in RNA medicine, many programs fail due to poorly suboptimal designs and quality issues that conventional assays fail to detect. Addressing these challenges requires both effective design algorithms and advanced analytics that provide mechanistic insight into RNA therapeutic activity and safety.

In this seminar, Dr. Wayne Doyle (Eclipsebio) will discuss how sequencing-based approaches reveal key insights for the development of siRNA and mRNA therapeutics. Key topics include multidimensional profiling of target RNAs, AI-powered drug design, and sequencing-based characterization of mRNA medicines.”

Join us!

Student-Postdoc Council

Sarah Herridge, Ph.D., BioNTech Australia - Lecture
2026-06-01 16:00 - 17:00 | Medical Science Building II, 1137 Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
The Center for RNA Biomedicine presents Sarah Herridge, Ph.D., Director, Research and Scientific Affairs, BioNTech Australia

On Monday, June 1, the Center for RNA Biomedicine will host RNA biology and RNA drug development expert Sarah Herridge, Ph.D., for a lecture titled, “Beyond COVID19 Vaccines: Translating RNA Science into Real-World Medicines.”
Schedule — Monday, June 1 | 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
4:00 p.m – 5:00 p.m. | Sarah Herridge, Ph.D. Lecture — 3695 North Lecture Hall, Medical Science Building II
Download a pdf flyer
Abstract and Speaker Info
Abstract:
RNA medicines have long promised a new way to treat disease, offering speed,
precision, and modularity that other therapeutic modalities may struggle to match. Well
before the COVID-19 pandemic, RNA-based approaches, including mRNA and
oligonucleotide therapeutics, were already reshaping how disease could be targeted,
particularly in oncology. These early programs demonstrated both the potential of RNA
and the practical complexity of translating it into robust, patient-ready medicines.
The COVID-19 pandemic marked a pivotal moment for the field. RNA science was
translated at unprecedented speed and scale into effective vaccines, demonstrating
clear real-world impact. As the world moves beyond the pandemic, the question
becomes: what comes next for RNA medicines? This talk explores how lessons from
RNA therapeutics and vaccines are now converging to expand RNA-based approaches
beyond infectious disease, particularly in oncology and other complex indications.
Drawing on her own career spanning academia, startups, and biopharma, Sarah will
share a personal perspective on the evolution of RNA medicines. She traces her
journey from leading an academic laboratory to founding and scaling two startups at the
intersection of oligonucleotide therapeutics and artificial intelligence, and now to
supporting RNA research translation and commercialization within a global biotech
organization. This journey provides a practical lens on how RNA science moves from
discovery to development, and why translational thinking must begin long before clinical
trials.
Finally, the presentation will focus on how BioNTech is working with the global research
ecosystem to support this next phase of RNA innovation. By combining deep RNA
expertise with partnerships, manufacturing, and mentoring capabilities, BioNTech aims
to help researchers move RNA discoveries from the lab toward innovative medicines,
ensuring that the momentum built during the pandemic translates into lasting health
impact.
About Sarah Herridge, Ph.D.:
Dr. Sarah Herridge is an accomplished leader with over 15 years of experience in RNA therapeutics development for oncology, spanning the full spectrum from target discovery to clinical trials. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry in Germany and completed her postdoctoral training at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where she collaborated with Ionis Pharmaceuticals on pioneering RNA-based cancer therapies. Sarah has held leadership positions in academia, including as Lab Head at the University of Otago in New Zealand, and served as the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer for two startups in the RNA therapeutics sector: Amaroq Therapeutics and Fold AI.
She currently serves as Director of Research & Scientific Affairs at BioNTech in Australia. In her current role, Sarah leads the development and execution of research strategy, manages scientific collaborations and external partnerships, oversees the onboarding of new research projects, and drives the implementation of scientific engagement initiatives to advance BioNTech’s mission globally.

Complete Genomics Lunch & Learn Seminar
2026-09-22 11:00 - 13:00 | BSRB – ABC Seminar rooms, 109 Zina Pitcher Pl, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
Complete Genomics Lunch & Learn Seminar
Sponsored by the RNA Student and Postdoc Council

Tuesday, September 22, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
ABC Seminar Rooms, BSRB
Lunch Provided

The Center for RNA Biomedicine Student and Postdoc Council is thrilled to welcome Complete Genomics for a Lunch & Learn Seminar.

This informal educational session, although tailored specifically for RNA-interested research trainees and medical students, is open to everyone at the University of Michigan, including faculty, staff and affiliated cores.

Complete Genomics will provide lunch and offer a 45–60 minute presentation highlighting their DNBSEQ-based RNA sequencing workflows and Stereo-seq spatial transcriptomics platform, along with emerging applications, followed by time for discussion and questions.

Two top scientists from Complete Genomics will also be on hand to dive deeper into the science and processes.

We hope you will join us for this highly impactful event!
RNA Student and Postdoc Council

11th Annual RNA Symposium
2027-03-03 08:00 - 2027-03-05 17:00 | BSRB – Kahn Auditorium
2027 RNA Symposium

Wednesday, March 3 – Friday, March 5

The Center for RNA Biomedicine at the University of Michigan proudly invites you to the 2027 RNA Symposium. Taking place from Wednesday, March 3 through Friday, March 5, 2027, this premier event will convene thought leaders and pioneering researchers in the field of RNA science and biomedicine.
Scheduled Speakers: TBD

Dates: March 3 – 5, 2027

Kahn Auditorium
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH BUILDING
109 ZINA PITCHER PLACE
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48109
University of Michigan Ann Arbor Campus
