RNA emerges from DNA's shadow

RNA, the transporter of genetic information within the cell, has emerged
from the shadow of DNA to become one of the hottest research areas of
molecular biology, with implications for many diseases as well as
understanding of evolution. But the field is complex, requiring access to
the latest equipment and techniques of imaging, gene expression analysis and
bioinformatics, as well as cross-pollination between multiple scientific
disciplines. This has led to a major European push to bring the field
together via a network of overlapping multidisciplinary projects,
spearheaded by the European Science Foundation (ESF) with its EUROCORES
Programme RNAQuality.

The great potential of the RNA research field to solve a variety of
fundamental problems relevant for understanding of life and predicting cures
for diseases was unleashed at the RNAQuality Programme's first conference,
held in Granada in June 2008. As well as many European groups, the
conference was represented by leading pioneers from the US in the field, who
welcomed the new initiative as an important collaborative force.