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RNA Modifications Driving Oncogenesis (RNAMoDO) Program

Image of a line with symbols to represent RNA with modifications connected to a ribosome above "RNAMoDO"

The RNA Modifications Driving Oncogenesis (RNAMoDO) Program (funded through RFA-CA-24-029) is advancing fundamental studies in the emerging area of RNA modifications that underlie the oncogenic process, with a focus on the central role of RNA modifications in translational reprogramming of cancer cells. The molecular mechanisms for this reshaping of the translatome caused by dynamic changes in RNA modifications, and especially the interplay between different RNA modifications within and across RNA molecules during translation, are not understood and represent the focus of this initiative.

The program brings together experts in RNA modifications, translational regulation, and cancer biology who are investigating how dysregulations in mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA modifications could reprogram the translation machinery to drive cancer formation and progression.  
 

RNAMoDO News

New grants for the RNAMoDO program were awarded in Fall 2025.

Drs. Jianjun Chen and Xiaolan Deng with the City of Hope RNAMoDO Project are determining the role of 5-formylcytosine modifications in RNA during acute myeloid leukemia development and drug response.

The Scripps Research Institute RNAMoDO Project, led by Drs. James Williamson, Rachel Green, and Gary Siuzdak, is studying the relationship between methionine metabolism, methyl modification of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and transfer RNAs (tRNAs), as well as gene expression in cancer cells.

Drs. Richard Gregory, Juan Alfonzo, Sergej Djuranovic, and Elena Piskounova with the University of Massachusetts RNAMoDO Project are investigating the role of tRNA modifications and tRNA-modifying enzymes in cancer -associated translational reprogramming, cellular stress responses, and the pathogenesis of melanoma metastasis.  

The UTSW RNAMoDO Project, led by Drs. Joshua Mendell and Jan Erzberger, is investigating the impact of dihydrouridine modifications in select tRNAs on messenger RNA (mRNA) stability and translational efficiency in the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (which is an aggressive type of kidney cancer). 

Contact for RNAMoDO

For additional information about the RNAMoDO program, please contact Dr. Stefan Maas.

Funded Projects

InstitutionPrincipal Investigator(s)Project Title
City of HopeJianjun Chen, Xiaolan DengMechanism and therapeutic implication of RNA-modification-mediated codon-biased translation in acute myeloid leukemia
Scripps Research InstituteJames R. Williamson, Rachel Green, Gary E. SiuzdakLinks between rRNA and tRNA modifications, codon use,, translation, and metabolism in cancer cells
University of Massachusetts Medical School WorcesterRichard I. Gregory, Juan D. Alfonzo, Sergej Djuranovic, Elena PiskounovatRNA modification reprogramming and translation remodeling in cancer
University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterJoshua T. Mendell, Jan P. ErzbergerRegulation of mitochondrial activity and metastasis by dihydrouridine-modified tRNAs in renal cell carcinoma
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