Axis 4: RNA-based Genomic Medicine – from Mechanism to Therapy

This Axis builds on GCI breakthroughs in RNA biology and recent innovations in RNA therapies and vaccines, aiming to design RNA-based genomic medicines for cancer and test them in unique and highly accurate models to accelerate their translation to the clinic. The GCI hosts world-renowned research programs dedicated to understanding the biogenesis, function, and regulation of RNA in specific cellular contexts that have already made significant contributions to RNA vaccine and therapy development. These efforts will inform research focused on designing and optimizing RNA therapies, mRNA vaccines, and RNA-engineered cell therapies, as well as developing next-generation RNA delivery systems with low toxicity and improved specificity. Overall, this axis aims to provide the means to therapeutically target cancer drivers that were previously viewed as intractable, and to deliver novel RNA-based strategies leveraging the tumour microenvironment and the immune system to improve outcomes for patients with hard-to-treat cancers. 

Axis lead: Thomas Duchaine