Genome Editing and Sequencing Technology-Driven RNA Regulation Research in Cancer
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Biopharmaceuticals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2026 | Viewed by 160
Editors
Interests: epitranscriptomics; cancer genomics; alternative splicing; genome editing; CRISPR/Cas systems; sequencing; RNA therapeutics
Interests: cancer biology; alternative splicing; epitranscriptomics; genome/transcriptome editing; sequencing technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The traditional view of RNA as a mere intermediate between DNA and protein has been replaced by the understanding that the RNA landscape is a vast and complex regulatory network. Beyond protein-coding mRNAs, the human transcriptome comprises a diverse repertoire of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including tRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs, all of which play pivotal roles in cellular homeostasis. In cancer, the dysregulation of these RNAs, whether through aberrant splicing, altered stability, or post-transcriptional modifications, functions as a primary driver of oncogenic transformation and therapeutic resistance. The lifecycle of a RNA molecule, from its biogenesis to its nuclear export and eventual decay, is precisely orchestrated. In human malignancies, the breakdown of these regulatory checkpoints often leads to aberrant splicing events, altered mRNA stability, and dysregulated protein synthesis, which collectively drive tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Adding to this regulatory complexity is the chemical diversity of the human epitranscriptome. Over 170 post-transcriptional modifications, most notably N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and 5-methylcytosine (m5C), act as critical switches governing the fate and function of these RNA species. The aberrant activity of RNA-modifying enzymes, known as writers, erasers, and readers, fundamentally reshapes the transcriptomic landscape, promoting oncogenic signaling and enabling tumors to evade immune surveillance.
This Special Issue will showcase research that utilizes advanced genome editing and sequencing technologies to decode the complexities of RNA regulation in malignancy. The integration of third-generation methodologies now allows for the direct, full-length characterization of diverse RNA types and their native modifications, bypassing the limitations of traditional sequencing. Concurrently, CRISPR/Cas systems (including Cas9 and Cas13) provide powerful platforms for the functional validation of RNA regulatory elements. These innovations are essential for the advancement of next-generation RNA therapeutics, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), siRNAs, and RNA-targeted small molecules. We invite original research articles and comprehensive reviews covering topics such as the following:
- Functional studies on coding and non-coding RNA repertoires in cancer;
- High-throughput and long-read sequencing for profiling RNA isoforms and modifications;
- CRISPR-based tools for targeted RNA editing and RNA-protein interaction studies;
- Insights into alternative splicing and the "epitranscriptomic code" in tumor biology;
- Design and delivery of siRNAs, ASOs, and RNA-based interventions for precision oncology;
- AI-driven analysis of transcriptomic signatures and pharmacogenomics.
We look forward to receiving your contributions to this rapidly evolving field.
Dr. Konstantina Athanasopoulou
Dr. Panagiotis Adamopoulos
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- transcriptomics
- epitranscriptomics
- high-throughput sequencing
- RNA therapeutics
- cancer pharmacogenomics
- CRISPR/Cas
- non-coding RNA
- mRNA fate
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