About the human RNome project Consortium
Every RNA carries more than its sequence.
We're building the tools to read all of it and establish a human RNA reference complete with every chemical modification attached.
Introduction
A map of human RNA biology, in full
The Human RNome Project is a global effort to reveal the complete landscape of human RNA biology. RNA molecules are extensively and chemically modified, and more than 50 distinct modifications have been identified in human cells.
Each of these marks can change how an RNA folds, where it goes, how long it lasts, and what it ultimately does. Most of that layer of biology has never been systematically read.
Our Motivation
The gap is the opportunity
The gap between 20,000 human diseases and roughly 500 treatments is exactly where the RNome’s untapped potential lives. Understanding disease mechanisms and building new therapies both depend on reading RNA at a resolution we do not yet have.
RNA-based medicine has already shown what precision here can do.
Nusinersen has changed outcomes for spinal muscular atrophy. mRNA-based cancer treatments are moving through the clinic. Both are early proof of what becomes possible once RNA, including its modifications, is understood and targeted precisely.
50+
distinct chemical modifications identified in human RNA
20,000+
known human diseases
~500
of those diseases have an effective treatment today
Our Goal
A reference built for every RNA, from any organism
We aim to sequence full-length RNA transcripts with all their chemical modifications and to build technology to directly sequence any RNA, from any organism.
A modification-resolved reference for the human RNome does not just close a gap in basic biology. It gives researchers, clinicians, and biomanufacturers shared ground to build from: new discoveries, new tools for manufacturing and data storage, and RNA therapies that have not been invented yet.