RNA PhD Student Conference

The RNA PhD Conference was held at CEITEC MU on November 10, 2023, and served as a platform for PhD candidates to present their research findings in the field of RNA, project achievements, and promote the RNA cluster at CEITEC MU. The conference featured oral presentations by doctoral researchers from Twinning partner students as well as Life Science students, each lasting 15 minutes, covering topics such as telomerase RNP complex, somatic embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana, Cajal bodies in cell division, and meiotic progression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Each lecture was followed by Q&A session.

The event comprised four sessions, each with multiple presentations, allowing participants to delve into diverse RNA-related research areas. The sessions covered subjects like structure-based RNA-ligand design for combating infectious diseases, RNA as a drug target, electrostatic anchoring in RNA-ligand design, and the mechanistic link between histone mRNA homeostasis and piRNA biogenesis.

Additionally, the conference featured a keynote speaker, Leoš Shivaya Valášek from the Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, who discussed ribosomal A-site interactions with near-cognate tRNAs driving stop codon readthrough.

The day concluded with a core facilities excursion and a networking dinner in the atrium, providing participants with opportunities for informal discussions and networking. Overall, the event showcased the cutting-edge research conducted by PhD candidates in the RNA field and facilitated collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants.