An impressive audience of nearly 420,000 tuned in on Feb. 29 to the live broadcast of Westlake University's first academic symposium for the Year of the Dragon. At 9 a.m., connecting remotely to the event were three distinguished keynote speakers, each having made remarkable contributions to RNA research, from RNA biology to RNA-based therapeutics. They have all been duly honored with a Nobel Prize, most recently in 2023.

The event lasted two hours and included keynote presentations, roundtable discussions, and open Q&A sessions. The conference hall resounded once again to accounts of groundbreaking scientific inquiries, echoing the many successful academic symposiums that have taken place at Westlake in the past. However, the presenters at this event were not as typical as they at first appeared.

We often depict scientists as relentless pursuers of knowledge, rigorous, serious, and with an unwavering commitment to the principles of scientific inquiry. Yet, as these three scholars began discussing RNA and, more notably, when they delved into the realm of pure academic inquiry in open discussions with their peers, they transcended these labels.

Prof. Phillip A. Sharp, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1993, is a professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a member of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. With his temples speckled with strands of silver, he often raised his hand during the question-and-answer sessions, eager to share a few words. When responding to a student's inquiry, his enthusiasm frequently overflowed as he swiftly summarized the latest achievements in RNA studies from articles authored by his peers. These scholarly contributions may not have originated from his own pen, but his agile delivery, animated gestures, and evident familiarity with the advancements made by his fellow researchers clearly demonstrated his deep engagement and knowledge in the field.

Prof. Thomas R. Cech was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1989. Currently serving as a distinguished professor and researcher in biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder, he is just a few years younger than Sharp. During his engaging presentation, he shifted seamlessly from explaining his experiments to unexpectedly injecting a touch of youthful humor, often cracking jokes that only those well-versed in the field would fully appreciate.

The final keynote speaker was Prof. Katalin Karikó, who was recently honored with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. As a prominent female scholar and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, she has perhaps the highest public profile of the three speakers. Her groundbreaking patent on pseudouridine modification in mRNA, a collaborative endeavor with her colleagues, played a pivotal role in the development and production of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her newfound public recognition has allowed her to realize an important personal ambition: to enrich public understanding of RNA through immersive science communication. She took the opportunity to announce this as her New Year's resolution, revealing that some popular science books are already on the way and will soon be available to readers.

Karikó's commitment to popularizing science aligns perfectly with the core purpose of this academic symposium. In preparation for the event, Westlake opened its doors to the public, asking them to submit questions they would like to see discussed at the event. Westlake presented to the three scholars a careful selection of these questions, ranging from inquiries about RNA research to how to cultivate a scientific mindset. Many of the 420,000 viewers who tuned into the live broadcast that day may not have entirely followed the intricacies of the academic presentations. However, it was during the more accessible question-and-answer session that many of the attendees found inspiration. Particularly noteworthy was the final question concerning the growth of younger generations, which provided valuable insights for all to contemplate.

The first question was whether RNA drugs can replace traditional medications and treatment approaches.

Karikó believes that future possibilities ultimately depend on the imagination. While RNA drugs hold promise, there are still several areas that require refinement, making this a field that is well worth exploring for young researchers. One challenge lies in the delivery of injected RNA drugs across different layers of cells, which requires the use of specific proteins as facilitators. This poses difficulties in the therapeutic application of RNA drugs, as current technologies do not allow direct injection of these drugs into specific locations like the kidneys. However, the cells themselves produce proteins with appropriate modifications, which means that, regardless of the injection site, RNA drugs result in the production of highly glycosylated proteins. So, although the true therapeutic potential of RNA drugs remains uncertain, their potential is very clear.

During the Q&A session, Prof. Yigong Shi, president of Westlake University, shared his insights alongside the three speakers. Shi believes that RNA drugs will undoubtedly have a place in future clinical treatments, though the exact extent of their usage remains uncertain. Sharp also expressed great anticipation for the widespread application of RNA drugs in disease treatments.

Another question was regarding the role that AI technology will play in RNA research.

According to Cech, artificial intelligence can contribute to the prediction of RNA structures and the interactions between RNA and proteins. However, machine learning algorithms require extensive training datasets, and the currently available datasets for RNA are much smaller than those that are available for proteins.

Karikó, on the other hand, believes that AI technology can be used in target selection for therapeutic interventions and in the design of encoded RNA drugs that target specific proteins.

Sharp expressed enthusiasm for the application of AI in biological research. He has great expectations for emerging researchers with interdisciplinary expertise in both biology and algorithm development. Over the past three years, Sharp has been collaborating with colleagues in the Department of Computer Science at MIT, striving to predict RNA splicing patterns through genome sequences. "While we possess knowledge regarding the splicing sites for each RNA, using machine learning to infer RNA splicing information remains a formidable challenge. Our endeavor lies in decoding the role of RNA-binding proteins in influencing the selection of splicing sites," said Sharp.

The presenters were also asked to identify the research area in life sciences that holds promise for the future.

"Many people have asked me what is the most thrilling and successful path to take, and my response is that becoming an expert through continuous learning and venturing into entirely new fields are what truly matter," said Karikó. She refrained from providing a direct answer, stating, "It is difficult for us to envision what the future will be like. We can only focus on doing what needs to be done in the present."

Cech strongly agreed with this viewpoint, considering it a perspective that researchers have shared for a long time. All early-stage research begins as fundamental research, driven by the curiosity to understand how the world functions. Such research often evolves into a pivotal component of disease treatments. "This is a remarkable story. We need to acknowledge the significance of fundamental research and not solely focus on disease treatment. We must strike a balance between fundamental and applied research."

True to this empirical approach, Sharp supported his perspective with concrete examples and evidence. He highlighted recent research papers that demonstrate the ongoing exploration in RNA biology—exploration that is far from reaching its end, let alone achieving its goal of utilizing RNA in disease treatment. Researchers in this field still have a long road ahead.

The final question was raised by a young student, who invited the three eminent scholars to offer some words of guidance or advice to the younger generation aspiring to pursue scientific research.

The answers provided by the three experts were succinct, yet resonated with deep introspection.

Cech took the lead in responding with a thought-provoking question: What drives one to pursue a Ph.D.? He emphasized that scientific research is far from a linear path but is a series of ups and downs. If the motivation behind earning a Ph.D. is solely for prestige and vanity, one must question whether it is truly worthwhile. According to him, embarking on this journey requires an authentic passion for the field. Without that passion, it is better to redirect one's talents to more fitting pursuits.

Karikó emphasized the significance of finding joy in one's scientific endeavors. She has personally derived immense satisfaction from her work in scientific research. She encourages individuals to prioritize their physical well-being through regular exercise and attend to their mental health by learning effective stress management techniques. Additionally, she advises individuals to embrace failures and criticism, seeking the positive elements of each situation and using them as opportunities for growth and experience.

Sharp's response resonated with the theme of the event: “What I want to tell you is that (scientific research) is a profoundly rewarding life choice. I cannot imagine any other profession that engrosses me in such a way. The only answer for me is being a scientist in this current era, particularly in the realm of RNA.”

These responses came from three distinguished Nobel laureates, all senior scientists in the realm of RNA research, with an average age of 75. Despite their physical distance and virtual interaction, their unwavering passion for pushing academic boundaries was palpable. Their genuine eagerness to embrace emerging technologies and their undiminished excitement mirrored the vigor of their younger years.

The insights shared by these senior scientists lent real significance to the symposium, not only in an academic context but also for young scientists, researchers, and students. The symposium served as a powerful reminder that the journey of scientific research is not an easy or straightforward one; it requires an unyielding and unwavering passion—a passion that transcends the constraints of gender and age.