Unlocking high-throughput analysis within the RNA epigenetics domain
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Portsmouth
Department Name: Inst of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sc
Abstract
In the rapidly emerging field of RNA epigenetics, reversible chemical modifications of RNA by writer, reader and eraser proteins are known to play key roles in changing RNA activity and regulating critical cellular processes. Mass spectrometry and sequencing techniques are used to detect RNA modifications, but neither are capable of high-throughput analysis. To support the exponential growth of research in this field there is an urgent need for high-throughput approaches. Working with RNA epigenetics experts, Storm Therapeutics, this goal can be achieved by repurposing our patented RNA array platform technology to facilitate simultaneous analysis of multiple target RNAs for RNA modification detection. With market exclusivity, the tailoring of our RNA array into the RNA epigenetics domain offers a very significant increase in its utility, greatly increasing its market potential and substantially enhancing its attractiveness to potential licensees.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Anastasia Callaghan (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | Steps towards method development for re-purposing the RNA array for applicability to the RNA epigenetics domain has been demonstrated. |
| Exploitation Route | This work is presently providing exeplification of the RNA technology within the RNA epigenetics domain and supporting steps to create a spin-out venture to secure further impact. |
| Sectors | Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | This work is has provided exemplification of the RNA technology within the RNA epigenetics domain. This helped secure Innovate UK ICURe funding to explore commercialisation routes, which led to securing a BBSRC Enterprise Fellowship for the PostDoc involved on the project, and a place on the Cambridge-based Start Codon Investment Accelerator programme. This supported steps to create a spin-out venture, RevoNA Bio, which was incorporated in 2022. RevoNA Bio secured an Innovate UK ICURe Follow-on Fund grant and Start Codon investment, and is focused on securing further impact from the RNA technology. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | BBSRC Enterprise Fellowship to PDRA |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Innovation to Commercialise University Research (ICURe) Award |
| Amount | £35,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2020 |
| End | 04/2021 |
| Description | Preventing Plastic Pollution with Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub |
| Amount | £11,162,826 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/Y007972/1 |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2024 |
| End | 02/2029 |
| Title | RNA technology applied to the RNA epigenetics domain. |
| Description | Modifications to the patented RNA technology, which has a high-throughput capability, have been undertaken to develop an assay that enables identification of whether or not specific RNA substrates become methylated following exposure to methylase enzymes. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This project provided exemplification of the RNA technology within the RNA epigenetics domain. This led to a place on the Cambridge-based Start Codon Investment Accelerator programme. This is supporting steps to create a spin-out venture to secure further impact. |
| Description | Collaboration with Storm Therapeutics |
| Organisation | STORM Therapeutics Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Work to expand the utility of the RNA array into the field of RNA epigenetics. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in RNA epigenetics. |
| Impact | Research grant funding to support joint working. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Company Name | RevoNA Bio |
| Description | RevoNA Bio develops an RNA-targeted pharmaceuticals discovery platform, aimed at using AI prediction to speed up the commercialisation of RNA-targeted drugs. |
| Year Established | 2022 |
| Impact | RevoNA is an early stage company with 4.5FTE scientific employees. RevoNA Bio was incorporated as the University of Portsmouth's first spinout and the success of UKRI-funding supporting RevoNA's commercialisation journey was recognised in BBSRC's Impact Showcase 2022 (https://www.discover.ukri.org/bbsrc-impact-showcase-2022/), and featured as an Innovate UK ICURe case study (https://www.icureprogramme.com/case-study/revona/). |
| Website | https://www.revona.bio/ |
| Description | Extensive engagment activities with pharma and biotech companies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | In scoping commercial opportunities for the RNA technology, conversations, presentations and pitches were made to ~80 different pharma/biotech/industry companies. This provided insights and guidance into the most appropriate route for commercialisation of the RNA technology and it's applications, and informed the decision that the spin-out route would likely leverage the most impact. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020,2021,2022 |
| Description | Translation and commercialisation journey included as a feature in BBSRC's Impact Showcase 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | At the request of BBSRC, myself and the BBSRC Enterprise Fellow working with me on the translation and commercialisation of the RNA technology, were asked to generate a video for the 2022 Impact Showcase. We produced a short video, explaining the journey we had been on, and the role that BBSRC and Innovate UK played in supporting this. The intention was that in sharing our experiences, we would encourage others to explore commercialisation routes for securing impact from their research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.discover.ukri.org/bbsrc-impact-showcase-2022/ |