7th Annual Non-coding RNA Symposium
Introduction
The Annual Non-coding RNA Symposium is a global forum that brings together internationally renowned experts to showcase the latest advances in basic and translational non-coding RNA research. Designed to foster collaboration among national and international researchers, clinicians and industry leaders, the symposium serves as a vital platform for accelerating the clinical application of non-coding RNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics, helping pave the way for precision medicine.
This year’s meeting will further strengthen academia-industry partnerships while providing a dynamic environment for students, postdoctoral scholars and junior investigators to present and discuss their research with a diverse audience. New additions to the program include a session on cutting-edge technologies featuring innovative tools and techniques for studying non-coding RNAs, as well as a panel discussion focused on career development opportunities for students and early-career scientists.
On behalf of the organizers, Dr. Afsar Naqvi - UIC, Dr. Roopa Biswas - Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Dr. Deepak Shukla - UIC, Dr. Gatikrushna Singh - University of Minnesota, the UIC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, UIC COD Department of Periodontics, and UIC COD Office of Research, we cordially invite non-coding RNA researchers and enthusiasts to join us on the UIC campus from Thursday, October 15, 2026, through Friday, October 16, 2026, for this exciting symposium.
All are welcome to attend. This symposium is eligible for 4 CE credits.
Register Here By August 31
Details
Important Dates
Registration Deadline:
September 15, 2026 12:00 a.m. CDT
Abstract Submission Deadline:
August 31, 2026 12 a.m. CDT
Event Dates:
Thursday, October 15, 2026 , 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CDT
Friday, October 16, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. CDT
Location
UIC Molecular Biology Research Building (MBRB) Auditorium Rm. 1017
900 S. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60612
Athma Pai
Speakers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Athma Pai, PhD – Associate Professor, UMass Chan Medical School
“Noise to Signal: Studying the Efficiency of mRNA Processing”
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the molecular mechanisms that regulate mRNA splicing efficiency, including the roles of splice sites, regulatory RNA elements, and splicing factors.
- Evaluate how changes in splicing efficiency influence gene expression, cellular function, and disease processes.
Thomas Diekwisch
Thomas Diekwisch, DMD, PhD (Sc), PhD (Phil) – Professor, University of Rochester Medicine
MicroRNAs in Craniofacial Biology: Regulators of Periodontal Homeostasis, Tooth Movement and Tissue Regeneration
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the role of microRNAs in regulating host immune and inflammatory responses in periodontal disease.
- Valuate how microRNA dysregulation contributes to periodontal inflammation and its potential relevance for biomarker discovery and therapeutic targeting.
Stacy Horner
Stacy Horner, PhD – Associate Professor, Duke University
RNA Modifications at the Virus-Host Interface
Learning Objectives:
- Explain how RNA modifications in both viral and host RNAs regulate the virus-host interface by influencing RNA stability, immune recognition, translation, and replication.
- Evaluate how viruses exploit or alter host RNA modification machinery to promote infection, evade antiviral responses, and shape disease outcomes.
Deepak Shukla
Deepak Shukla, PhD – Professor, University of Illinois Chicago
Targeting Viral microRNAs in Ocular Herpes Infection
Learning Objectives:
- Describe how viral and host microRNAs regulate herpes virus infection and persistence.
- Evaluate the potential of microRNA-targeting strategies as diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for herpes virus infection.
Ram Savan
Ram Savan, PhD – Professor, University of Washington
RNA-Mediated Regulation of Antiviral Immunity
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the major mechanisms by which RNA molecules regulate antiviral immunity, including roles in viral sensing, post-transcriptional gene regulation, and innate immune signaling.
- Analyze how host and viral RNA regulators shape antiviral responses by influencing immune activation, viral replication, and immune evasion.
- Discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting RNA-mediated pathways to enhance antiviral immunity and control viral infection.
Kotaro Nakanishi
Kotaro Nakanishi, PhD – Professor, The Ohio State University
Uncovering Hidden Capabilities of Argonaute and Harnessing Them for RNAi Therapeutics
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the emerging and noncanonical functions of Argonaute proteins beyond classical RNA interference, with emphasis on how these hidden capabilities influence RNA targeting, gene regulation, and cellular responses.
- Examine how mechanistic insights into Argonaute biology can be leveraged to improve the design, specificity, potency, and safety of RNAi-based therapeutics.
- Explore current and future strategies for harnessing Argonaute-dependent pathways to develop next-generation RNA therapeutics for challenging diseases.
Praveen Gajendrareddy
Praveen Gajendrareddy, BDS, PhD – Periodontics Department Head, University of Illinois Chicago
Therapeutic Potential of Exosome-Mediated miRNA Cargo in Tissue Regeneration
Learning Objectives:
- Explain how exosome-mediated miRNA cargo contributes to tissue regeneration by regulating intercellular communication, inflammation, cell proliferation, and repair pathways.
- Evaluate the therapeutic potential of exosomal miRNAs in regenerative medicine, including their advantages, mechanisms of action, and translational applications in tissue repair.
Joseph Piccirilli
Joseph Piccirilli, PhD – Professor, University of Chicago
RNA-binding Antibodies as Enabling Tools for RNA Structure Elucidation
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the role of RNA-binding antibodies in probing RNA structure and function.
- Explore how antibody-based approaches help investigate RNA–protein interactions and RNA dynamics.
- Discuss the applications of RNA structure elucidation in molecular biology and disease research.
Marcus Peter
Marcus Peter, PhD – Professor, Northwestern University
“Developing a Pan-Cancer Therapy Based on DISE-Inducing Short RNAs”
Learning Objectives:
- Describe how DISE-inducing short RNAs can be used to target survival pathways in multiple cancer types and induce tumor cell death.
- Assess the therapeutic potential of DISE-based RNA therapies by examining their efficacy, selectivity, and feasibility for use in pan-cancer treatment approaches.
Cost
Faculty: $75
Postdocs:$50
Undergraduate/Graduate Students: $25
Company Representatives: $150
Program Agenda
Thursday, October 15, 2026 8:00 am – 4:30 pm CDT
8 – 9 a.m.
Breakfast and Registration
9– 9:15 a.m.
Welcome
Joanna Groden
Vice Chancellor for Research
University of Illinois Chicago
Susan Rowan
Dean, College of Dentistry
University of Illinois Chicago
Session 1: Non-coding RNAs in Development and Physiology
Session Chair: Roopa Biswas
9:15 – 10 a.m.
Keynote Lecture
Athma Pai
UMass Chan Medical School
“Noise to Signal: Studying the Efficiency of mRNA Processing”
10 – 10:30 a.m.
Thomas Diekwisch
University of Rochester Medical College
“microRNAs in Craniofacial Biology: Regulators of Periodontal Homeostasis, Tooth Movement and Tissue Regeneration”
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Selected Short Talks – TBD
Session Chair: Shabana Shaik
11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sponsored Talks – TBD
12 – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch Break (MBRB 1st Floor Lobby)
Session 2: Non-coding RNAs in Cancer
Session Chair: Xiaowei Wang
1:15 – 2 p.m.
Keynote Lecture
Marcus Peter
Northwestern University
“Developing a Pan-Cancer Therapy Based on DISE-Inducing Short RNAs”
2 – 2:30 p.m.
Joseph Piccirilli
University of Chicago
“RNA Binding Antibodies as Enabling Tools for RNA Structure Elucidation”
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Coffee Break
2:45 – 3:30 p.m.
Selected Short Talks – TBD
Session Chair: Araceli Valverde
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Poster Session
Friday, October 16, 2026, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm CDT
8 – 9 a.m.
Breakfast
Session 1: Non-coding RNAs in Immunity and Infection
Session Chair: Arivarasu Anbazhagan
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Keynote Speaker
Stacy Horner
Duke University
“RNA Modifications at the Virus-Host Interface”
10:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Deepak Shukla
University of Illinois Chicago
“Targeting Viral microRNAs in Ocular Herpes Infection”
10:45 – 11 a.m.
Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Ram Savan
University of Washington
“RNA-Mediated Regulation of Antiviral Immunity”
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Selected Short Talks – TBD
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Lunch Break (MBRB 1st Floor Lobby)
Session 2: Cutting-edge Technologies
Session Chair: Sriram Ravindran
1:15 – 2 p.m.
Kotaro Nakanishi
The Ohio State University
“Uncovering Hidden Capabilities of Argonaute and Harnessing Them for RNAi Therapeutics”
2– 2:30 p.m.
Praveen Gajendrareddy
University of Illinois Chicago
“Therapeutic Potential of Exosome-Mediated miRNA Cargo in Tissue Regeneration”
2:30 – 3 p.m.
Awards (Short Talks and Poster Presentation)
Concluding Remarks
Ana Bedran-Russo
Associate Dean for Research, UIC COD
Praveen Gajendrareddy
Head, Department of Periodontics, UIC COD
Sponsorship
Sponsorship Tier Levels:
- Platinum Sponsorship – $7,500
- Gold Sponsorship – $5,000
- Silver Sponsorship – $2,500
- Bronze Sponsorship – $1,500
- Exhibit Table – $1,000
- Oral and Poster Presentation Award Sponsorship – $500
Contact Information
For any questions please email Dr. Araceli Valverde-Estepa at avalverd@uic.edu or Dr. Afsar Naqvi at afsarraz@uic.edu.
ADA CERP
The University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at www.ada.org/cerp.
The University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry designates this activity for 4 continuing education credits.
