Prof M R S Rao Delivers 26th RGCB Foundation Day Lecture

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), which are understudied in cancer research, have great therapeutic potential, said Prof MRS Rao, veteran scientist and former president, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR).

Answering questions by students after delivering the 26th foundation day lecture of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) here on Thursday, Prof Rao, a Padma awardee, said clinical trials are currently going on for several LncRNA molecules that have a significant impact on cancer treatment in the future.

A non-coding RNA (ncRNA) is an RNA (Ribonucleic acid) molecule that is classified into long and short based on their size. Prof Rao delivered the lecture on the topic “Long non-coding RNAs in cellular differentiation and cancer – A story of LncRNA mRHL: Discovery to Function.”The foundation stone for RGCB was laid on November 18, 1995, and the institute is currently celebrating 25 years of existence.

Prof Chandrabhas Narayana, director, RGCB, who delivered the welcome address, also distributed awards for teachers and meritorious students. Dr K R Mahendran, Scientist won the Best Teacher award based on an appraisal by students. Pallavi Chinnu Varghese and Meera V shared this year’s student merit award.