The Scientific Program Committee (SPC) inaugurated this new session at the 2013 Annual Meeting. The Frontiers for Toxicology Session has been designed to focus on a cutting–edge subject that will impact basic and applied toxicology research. The topic for 2014 is “Noncoding RNAs in Human Health, Therapeutics, and Environmental Disease,” which will held on Tuesday, March 25, 9:00 am–11:45 am.
During the past 10 years, significant advances have been made in gaining an understanding of the role of noncoding RNAs spanning the period from organismal development and continuing throughout all stages of life. Although the biological role of noncoding RNA has yet to be fully understood, it is important to emphasize that only a small fraction of the mammalian genome codes for mRNAs, and yet the majority of the remaining genome is transcribed into noncoding RNAs. It is tempting to speculate that a large proportion of these noncoding RNAs are transcribed for the distinct purpose of carrying out critical regulatory functions. Indeed, there is a growing literature identifying specific processes under the control of noncoding RNAs and, likewise, the pathology that can ensue when noncoding RNA regulatory processes are disrupted. Relatively little is known concerning the influence environmental factors exert on noncoding RNAs at the level of their expression, function, or contribution to the etiology of disease processes; therefore, this represents an important frontier for toxicological investigation.In light of the importance of this relatively new area of biology and its potential impact on human health, the goal of this session is to feature eminent scientists who have made important contributions and advances to our current knowledge of noncoding RNAs. The broad areas to be addressed include general concepts surrounding the biology of noncoding RNAs, their role in development and in specific disease processes, and their potential role in novel therapeutic approaches.
The speakers in this session include John Mattick, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; Muller Fabbri, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Caroline Lee, Duke University-National University of Singapore, Singapore; and Joshua Mendell, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.