At UC Santa Cruz, scientists in the Center for Molecular Biology of RNA are redefining what we know about life itself.
Pushing the boundaries of the central dogma of molecular biology—the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to proteins—our researchers are uncovering how RNA drives the fundamental processes of life and disease.
Many UC Santa Cruz scientists are guided by the idea that life began in an “RNA world,” where RNA carried genetic information and catalyzed the biochemical reactions that made life possible. This vision continues to inspire discoveries that challenge conventional wisdom and expand our understanding of how DNA, RNA, and proteins work together in living systems.
Many in the field of RNA biology, including scientists on our campus, believe that life emerged from an RNA world in which RNA, instead of DNA, carried the genetic information and RNA, instead of proteins, catalyzed the biochemical reactions of life. From the science behind mRNA vaccines to RNA-based tools for early cancer detection and therapies for rare genetic diseases, the center’s research is changing how we diagnose, treat, and prevent disease.
Founded in 1992 with support from the Markey Trust, the center brings together one of the largest and most interdisciplinary communities of RNA researchers in the world—spanning biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science. Led by visionary scientists including Breakthrough Prize winner Harry Noller, Nobel Laureate Carol Greider, and Human Genome Project collaborator David Haussler, the center attracts top talent and drives innovation in molecular biology.
Ongoing discoveries continue to reveal RNA’s central role in life. Only a small fraction of cellular RNA produces proteins—while the rest holds untold mysteries that may unlock the origins of life and the future of medicine. At UC Santa Cruz, RNA scientists are illuminating those mysteries, transforming biology, and shaping a new era of scientific discovery.