RNA – A Catalyst for Public Engagement with Science

For half a century, the RNA research community has seen RNA emerge from being simply a copy of the information stored in DNA to an active participant in the chemistry of life. But these breathtaking discoveries went largely unnoticed by the general public, even as people became more conversant with DNA. Then in 2020, the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines put RNA in the spotlight — and opened the door for sharing the wonders of RNA science with the world.

Among its many activities, RNA powers the immortality enzyme, telomerase, which contributes to aging and cancer. RNA guides CRISPR gene editing, which gives hitherto unthinkable power to rewrite the code of life. And RNA may provide the answer to life’s most fundamental mystery — how did living things first arise on our planet? In this talk, Tom will summarize his attempt to illuminate RNA science for the general public by means of a book, The Catalyst.