Journal Club
Breakthorugh, Challenges and Future prospects of RNA Driven Drug Discovery
5/12/20261 min read
We had an online journal club presented by Prof. Patrick M. Aja from Ebonyi State University and Kampala International University in Uganda.Prof. Aja is also one of the patrons of the AFRICAN LIFE SCIENCE RNA SALON (AfriLSc RNA Salon), a program of the RNA Society.
The webinar explored the shift from traditional small-molecule drugs to RNA-based therapeutics, including mRNA vaccines, RNA interference (RNAi), and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). The presentation detailed how these technologies enable researchers to target diseases at the genetic level, effectively reaching "undruggable" targets that standard protein-based therapies cannot. By utilizing RNA as a programmable platform, the discussion highlighted how the timeline for drug discovery can be significantly compressed compared to traditional methods.
The talking points addressed the technical and logistical hurdles inherent in RNA technology, particularly delivery mechanisms and molecular stability. Because RNA is naturally prone to degradation, the session covered the importance of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and other chemical modifications required to ensure therapeutic payloads reach their cellular targets safely. Additionally, the high costs of these technologies and the regulatory complexities involved in bringing novel RNA therapies to the clinical market in diverse economic environments was discussed.
Finally, an envision of a more personalized approach to medicine, where transcriptomic profiling allows for treatments tailored to an individual’s unique genetic expression. The talk suggested that upon advancements in RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and its role in identifying new biomarkers for disease. The webinar likely concluded by emphasizing the need for continued cross-border collaboration and the development of local expertise in bioinformatics and molecular biology to sustain the momentum of RNA-driven innovation.