RNA (RiboNucleic Acid) is a naturally-occurring molecule found in the cells of every creature. Much like DNA, RNA has a four letter code. But unlike DNA, which only serves as our genetic blueprints, RNA comes in many sizes and forms that do different jobs. For example, some RNAs, called messenger RNAs (mRNAs), are copied from DNA (our genetic code) and used as the code to build proteins, which are the building blocks of much of our bodies. Other types of RNAs do different jobs in the cell, like building molecular machines or turning off mRNAs. In the end, our cells would not work properly without all of these different RNA molecules.

Scientists across Canada are trying to understand all the different jobs RNA can do to harness the power of RNA for treating and identifying diseases, making new vaccines to prevent diseases like cancer, protecting crops and livestock against pests, and improving laboratory technologies so scientists can improve their research. Once scientists understand how different RNAs work, we can put them to work for us!