University recognized for RNA research

Research unlocking the secrets of ribonucleic acid — one of the building blocks of life — is an ongoing pursuit at the University of Lethbridge. Now the university has been recognized as one of the leading RNA research centres in Canada.

To help train more Canadians for this emerging field, the federal government has

announced a $1.65-million grant, to be shared by the U of L and the Universite de Sherbrooke. Jointly, officials say, they plan to develop “an extensive internship program that strongly integrates private-sector development.”

“The focus here will be on knowledge transfer and migrating students/trainees into the workforce who are job ready,” says principal investigator Hans-Joachim Wieden, a U of L researcher who’s also the “strategic chair” in RNA bio-engineering for Alberta Innovates.

“As manufacturing and production floors become higher tech through advances in biology, materials science and computer

applications, it is critical that trainees receive the most advanced and broad education possible in order to be leaders in their careers,” he says.

The grant, covering a six-year period, was announced this week by Kirsty Duncan, the minister of science, as part of a $29.7-million series of grants to Canadian universities furthering research in a number of fields.

“When young Canadians choose science,” she said, grant programs like this “empower them to pursue their ambitions and gain the hands-on experiences they need to launch their careers.