D2R Awards RNA Research Funding to 7 GCI led projects

The DNA to RNA Initiative (D2R) has awarded over $5.3 million in its second funding cycle, with an additional $3.9 million dedicated to training over the next two years. This investment supports research projects and programs across McGill University, the Université de Sherbrooke, and the University of British Columbia, including numerous initiatives led or co-led by researchers at the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI). This funding aims to advance RNA science and therapeutics, accelerating discoveries that can directly benefit patients.

Driving Foundational RNA Research

Several GCI researchers secured funding through the Foundational Projects program. Nahum Sonenberg, Ph.D., received support for two projects on circular RNA engineering and sex-specific translational control in melanoma, in collaboration with Ian Watson, Ph.D. Michel Tremblay, Ph.D., was funded for RNA-based strategies targeting metabolic disease, while Daniela Quail, Ph.D., contributes as a collaborator on a project dissecting mechanisms of edema in brain cancer.

Accelerating Translational Innovation

The Research in Motion (RIM) program further highlights GCI’s leadership in RNA therapeutics. Four of the five projects funded in this cycle are led by GCI investigators: Guojun Chen, Ph.D., is developing in vivo CAR-T cell engineering via mRNA-LNP hydrogels; Thomas Duchaine, Ph.D., is engineering next-generation 3’UTR regulatory switches for T cell mRNA therapeutics; Philippe Gros, Ph.D., is advancing RNA therapeutics against USP15-driven neuroinflammation; and Morag Park, Ph.D., is targeting MET exon 14 skipping to address early metastatic dissemination in lung cancer.

Strengthening Canada’s RNA Research Leadership

These investments reflect the scientific excellence, leadership, and translational impact of the GCI community in RNA biology, RNA therapeutics, RNA engineering, and data-driven RNA medicine. By supporting both foundational and research in motion projects, D2R funding is enabling GCI researchers to push the boundaries of RNA science, develop innovative therapies, and translate discoveries into tangible benefits for patients.

Sources:

https://www.mcgill.ca/dna-to-rna/funded-projects/foundational-projects/foundational-projects-cycle-2

https://www.mcgill.ca/dna-to-rna/funded-projects/research-motion/research-motion-cycle-2