The RNA Institute

Call for Abstracts | 2026 Upstate NY RNA Symposium
Symposium link in bio!

Abstract submissions are now open for the 2026 Upstate NY RNA Symposium.

🗓️ Oral abstract deadline: Feb 4, 2026
🗓️ Poster abstract deadline: Mar 4, 2026
📅 Early-Bird Registration: Feb 13, 2026

large crates packed with science equipment

Christmas came early! New science toy from @lumicks.bsky.social for @thernainstitute.bsky.social - very excited to get this all set up and operational.

Investigating Polarity Effects in DNA Base Stacking Nucleic acid structures are stabilized by both base pairing and base stacking. While energetics of base pairing interactions are relatively well established, our understanding of the energetic contributions of base stacking remain incomplete. Here, we use a combination of single-molecule and computational biophysics approaches to investigate the effect of strand polarity on base-stacking energetics. We designed pairs of DNA constructs with reversed stacking polarities at nick sites, along with corresponding no-stack controls to isolate stacking contributions. Performing single-molecule force-clamp assays with a Centrifuge Force Microscope (CFM), we observed polarity-dependent differences in stacking energetics. These differences were most pronounced in purine–purine and certain purine–pyrimidine interactions. Notably, a 5′ purine stacked on a 3′ pyrimidine was generally more stable than the reverse polarity. We employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to observe stacking interfaces in the DNA constructs. The simulations were qualitatively consistent with our experiments, and showed positional differences between opposite polarity stacking pairs, giving some insight into the origin of these polarity differences. Overall, these results demonstrate that base polarity can modulate stacking stability and should be considered when designing short duplex regions such as overhangs in molecular biology and biotechnology applications.

Our latest lab paper (and last for @jibinpunnoose.bsky.social) is out! We look at strand polarity in base stacking interactions, with single-molecule measurements and MD simulations with collaborators in Chen and Vangaveti labs @thernainstitute.bsky.social pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Governor Hochul Announces $50 Million Capital Investment to Expand State University of New York at Albany’s RNA Institute Governor Hochul announced a $50 million capital investment by New York State to expand the State University of New York at Albany’s RNA Institute.

Super Excited to share this news!
Governor Hochul has announced a $50 million capital investment to expand State University of New York at Albany's RNA Institute.

@sunyofficial.bsky.social
@albany.edu

Announcement link:
www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...

So many cheers, smiles, and wishes to celebrate our Director Andy Berglund on receiving UAlbany Citizen Laureate award, and the reel is capped with sweetest wishes from his family :)
Congratulations Andy!
#rnainstitute #ualbany #citizenlaureate
@albany.edu
www.instagram.com/p/DQdcdt-DIbY/

Celebrating Thomas Begley with messages from those who know him best as he received University at Albany Williams-Raycheff Endowed Professorship from President Havidán Rodríguez today. Congratulations Tom!

www.instagram.com/p/DQZ_-4CgXiR/

We are proud to celebrate Professor Thomas Begley's appointment as the William-Raycheff Endowed Professor. The recognition will be awarded during the University at Albany President's Fall University Address tomorow.

#UAlbany #EndowedProfessor
@albany.edu
@ualbanybiology.bsky.social

We're proud to share and congratulate Dr. Andy Berglund, recipient of the UAlbany Citizen Laureate Award! A well-deserved recognition to his leadership, mentorship, and his contributions to RNA research.

#AcademicLaureate #ualbanycitizenlaureate #UAlbany

Check this opening for Asst Professor in Biological Sciences (Quantitative Systems Neuroscience)
albany.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdeta...

RNA Institute Researchers Receive NIH Funding to Investigate Fatal Genetic Disorder UAlbany scientists at the RNA Institute are seeking to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive disease. Kaalak Reddy’s team was recently awarded $420,000 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Nationa...

RNA Institute Researchers Receive NIH Funding to Investigate Fatal Genetic Disorder
www.albany.edu/news-center/...

Landmarks light up green for Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) — In recognition of International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day, landmarks across the state, including Empire State Plaza, were illuminat

Landmarks light up green for Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day
cbs6albany.com/news/local/l...

In honor of International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day (Sept15), these buildings will be lighting up in Green.
If you are near any of these buildings and happen to see them, please share a photo with us and/or share with us here and tag us.
@myotonicstrong.bsky.social #myotonicdystrophyawareness

Myotonic dystrophy is the most common form of adult muscular dystrophy. Join us to spread awareness about #myotonicDystrophy on September 15!

We are joining hands with @myotonicstrong.bsky.social to raise awareness of myotonic dystrophy this month. Did you know that September 15 is the International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day?

#myotonicDystrophy
#myotonicDystrophyAwareness

RNA Day - A celebration of our summer highlights, featuring students exploring RNA research, Inaugural hashtag#CERRT 'SPARK' award, connecting with our virtual summer bioinformatics trainees.
www.albany.edu/news-center/...

Their support and this funding enabled these talented young trainees to receive a hands-on research experience at the RNA Institute to advance collaborative learning in RNA science and bioinformatics, while also providing valuable mentorship and career development opportunities.

A big thanks to @sunyofficial.bsky.social Chancellor John B King Jr and the fabulous team at the Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund for supporting student researchers from across SUNY campuses during the summer so that they could participate in our summer programs @johnbkingjr.bsky.social

Excited to share that we've been awarded NIH S10 grant!
LUMICKS C-Trap coming soon to the #RNAinstitute

📢 Big News!

We are thrilled to share that The RNA Institute has been awarded $1.8 million through the renewal of our NIH Training Grant to support the RNA Fellows

#NIH #TrainingGrant #UAlbany #RNAresearch

Want to know about the future of RNA research and the training opportunities offered at the RNA institute? Visit the
@ualbany table at the SOTU Campus Showcase at The Egg and discover how #RNAresearch and #AI innovation are shaping tomorrow's science-today!
#UAlbanyAI #SOTU #CERRT

UAlbany Chemist Funded to Advance Search for RNA’s ‘True’ Sequence Shenglong Zhang is breaking new ground in understanding how RNA shapes health, with a focus on sequencing RNA modifications that give rise to disease. Zhang recently received $1.6 million from the Nat...

Associate Professor Shenglong Zhang has recently received $1.6 million from the National Human Genome Research Institute. This funding will help advance his lab's innovative RNA sequencing technology, in partnership with researchers at @columbiauniversity.bsky.social and @utah.edu.

Join me tomorrow, May 8th, at 4:30 PM at UAlbany for a discussion of my memoir, which dives into the challenges of balancing science and motherhood!

Hope to see you all there!

@thernainstitute.bsky.social @nyswi.bsky.social @ualbanybiology.bsky.social

Making Memories: Chancellor's Award Winners Share Their Favorite UAlbany Moments Eight winners of the 2025 Chancellor's Awards for Student Excellence reflect on the UAlbany careers.

Congratulations Leah Punnoose and all the winners!
albany.edu/news-center/... #ualbany
#ChandrasekaranLab #RNAtrainee

Check out these exciting summer camps for high school students offered by UAlbany Biology department!

Dr. Subodh Mishra (BerglundLab) presented his work entitled "Identification of Enzymatically Modified Isoquercitrin (EMIQ) as a Therapeutic Candidate for Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 " during the MDAorg Clinical & Scientific Conference in Dallas, Texas.
#MDA #Neuromuscular

Stand up Science rally in Albany, NY!

Our researchers showing their support to #RareDiseaseDay2025
Did you know that there are 300 million individuals worldwide are living with a rare disease?
More than 6000 rare diseases are identified.

Today (Feb 28, 2025) is #RareDiseaseDay!
RNA research plays a crucial role in many rare diseases, to learn about our work on rare diseases check out our page. #RareDiseaseDay2025

#MyotonicDystrophy Symposium to discuss the latest advancements in newborn screening and sequencing. Today a team of academic scientists, clinicians, health professionals and industry researchers held a discussion on unlocking the future of early diagnosis of DM @myotonicstrong.bsky.social

✨We’re excited to collaborate with
@thernainstitute.bsky.social to lead the first ever symposium on Newborn Screening for #myotonicDystrophy! 💚 Thank you to all researchers & providers in attendance working to advance care & a cure for DM! 🧬🌐