Tuesday, 27th October Australasian RNA Biology and Biotechnology Association 2026 Conference

Prof Xiaohua Shen
Tsinghua University (China)

• RNA shapes nuclear states to bias productive transcription - Xiaohua X Shen

A/Prof Ulf Schmitz
James Cook University, Queensland

A/Prof Quan Nguyen
QIMRB National Centre for Spatial Tissue and AI Research (NCSTAR), Queensland

Dr Nadia Davidson
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Victoria

• Resolving Isoform-Level Transcriptomic Complexity in Single Cells - Ulf Schmitz
• Mapping lncRNA Function Across Cancers in Single Cells and Space - Quan Nguyen
• Reading between the exons: new methods for novel transcript discovery - Nadia Davidson
• VX: a desktop transcriptome browser with agent control for direct RNA sequencing and nucleotide modifications - Nikolay Shirokikh
• Epitranscriptome language modelling is enabled by domain-informed vocabulary expansion with limited data - Alexandra Sneddon
• Identification of Breast Cancer-Associated lncRNAs Using 3D and In Vivo CRISPR-Cas13d Screen     - Lu Wang

Prof Chun-Xia Zhao
Adelaide University, Adelaide

Dr Yi (David) Ju
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI), La Trobe University, Victoria

• Engineering Precision mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles: From AI-Driven Lipid Discovery to Precision Cancer Immunotherapy - Chunxia Prof. Zhao
• Engineering Lipid Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery: Lessons from Vaccines, Applications in Therapy - Yi (David) Ju
• A folate-targeted RNA therapeutic strategy for CEP55 silencing in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer models - Ben BR Rashidieh
• Advancing mRNA Vaccines and Cytokine Therapies for Cancer - Liam O'Brien

• Dr Doug Horton – Principal, Spruson & Ferguson
• Dr Jay Rasmussen – Associate, Spruson & Ferguson
• Dr Abrey Yeo – Associate, Spruson & Ferguson

Unlocking mRNA’s Full Potential: From LNP Encapsulation to Purification and Formulation

• Blaz Bakarla, Business Development Manager
• Richard Zhu, Commercial Development Manager
  
  

Robust encapsulation of mRNA in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) is a critical area of development and differentiation in the rapidly evolving field of RNA–LNP therapeutics. A central challenge is translating promising benchtop results into scalable, reproducible manufacturing processes that meet GMP requirements. Sartorius offers a broad portfolio of scale-appropriate solutions to support this transition across the mRNA–LNP workflow. In this workshop, we will present approaches for mRNA encapsulation, downstream purification, and final formulation of mRNA–LNP products. We will discuss how integrated solutions can help streamline process development, facilitate scale-up, and support consistent product quality from early research through GMP manufacturing. The session will also introduce emerging approaches for mRNA–LNP analytics, supporting process understanding and informed decision-making throughout development. Join us to explore how Sartorius can help accelerate the path from benchtop innovation to robust, scalable mRNA–LNP production.

A/Prof Kelly Clemens
UNSW, NSW

Prof Steven Zuryn
Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Queensland

Dr Nicole Green
UNSW, NSW

• LncRNA in the regulation of complex behaviour - Kelly Clemens
• Small non-coding RNAs regulate cell-autonomous and intercellular propagation of mitochondrial stress signals - Steven Zuryn
• Uncovering the role of chromatin regulator ZMYND8 in brain development using human organoid models - Nicole FO Green
• Light-inducible proximity labelling in vivo captures sex-specific RNA at excitatory synapses - Paul R Marshall
• What’s in a Message? Long-Read RNA Sequencing Reveals Convergent RNA Regulatory and Axonal Pathways in Distal Hereditary Motor Neuropathy. - Madison D.V. Gonebale
• Divergent pathologies in ALS are associated with distinct gene expression, splicing, and intron retention profiles. - Gavin Sutton

Prof Brandon Wainwright
Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Queensland

A/Prof Fernando Guimaraes
Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Queensland

Dr Chris McMillan
School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Queensland

Dr Liam O'Brien
Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of Queensland, Queensland

• Optimising an mRNA/LNP approach to treating paediatric brain cancer - Brandon Wainwright
• Transient by design: mRNA-encoded CARs for NK cell-based immunotherapy - Fernando Guimaraes
• Flavivirus-based self amplifying RNA for vaccines and therapeutics - Christopher LD McMillan
• Post-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles for On-Demand RNA Delivery   - Sarah Draper

Prof Michael Gantier
Hudson Institute, Victoria

Dr Larisa Labzin
Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Queensland

A/Prof Jai Tree
UNSW, NSW

• Developing ultra short RNAs therapeutics for autoimmunity - Michael Gantier
• RNA sensing during human influenza A virus infection: challenging established paradigms - Larisa Labzin
• Leveraging lessons from small RNAs to program RNA cleavage in bacteria with clipmers   - Jai Tree
• Defective interfering RNA induces innate immunity and broad-spectrum antiviral activity - Min-Hsuan Lin
• SOF-SKN, A TOPICAL OLIGONUCLEOTIDE TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR 7/8 INHIBITOR: RESULTS FROM A FIRST-IN-HUMAN PHASE 1A/B STUDY - Olivier F Laczka
• RNAte: Australia's First NATA-Accredited Platform for RNA Product Innate Immune Testing - Tony S Cardno

May Aung-Htut
Murdoch University, Western Australia

Prof Sumaira Hasnain
The University of Queensland, Brisbane

• National Critical Research Infrastructure for Antisense Therapy Development - May Aung-Htut
• An Engineered MHC-I Ectodomain Shedding Strategy for Authentic Neoantigen Discovery and Personalized mRNA Cancer Vaccine Development - Yuanyuan Li
• IL-22 mRNA Therapeutics Restore Immune Tolerance to β-Cells in Type 1 Diabetes - Sumaira Hasnain
• Packaged CRISPR lipid nanoparticles as a research tool and treatment modality for cardiometabolic disease - Michael F Keating

Dr Andrew Geall
Replicate Bioscience, USA

• Self-replicating RNA (srRNA) vaccines using unmodified bases show an expanded clinical therapeutic index and sustained immune responses - Andrew Geall

The Long Room, Customs House

This is a ticketed event. Please see the registration desk if you'd like to join.