As the doors opened bright and early on April 23 and 24, the excitement was palpable as nearly 300 people arrived at the Centre Mont Royal for D2R’s annual Research Symposium. The event doubled in size from the inaugural event just over a year ago, emphasizing the momentum and rapid growth of the D2R community. Now entering its fourth year, D2R continues to expand and reach beyond the borders of provinces, countries, and even areas of research.
“When I look at D2R, I see a model for multi-institutional collaboration,” said ɬ President, Professor Deep Saini, during his welcome remarks. “A platform for training tomorrow's leaders. A connector of universities, hospitals, communities, industry, and government. And a clear, compelling example of how Canada can lead in a field that will define the future of medicine.”
“As a highly connected network, D2R will advance next generation therapeutic solutions while helping to strengthen resilient, innovative life sciences ecosystems that support health, biosecurity, and collaboration across sectors in Quebec, throughout Canada, and internationally.” said ɬ Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Professor Dominique Berubé, in remarks shared in advance of the event.
Presentations ran the gamut from fundamental RNA therapeutic research to the ethical and societal dimensions of genomic and RNA technologies, translational impact research, population studies, rare and infectious diseases, projects in Indigenous health research, oncology, and more. The breadth of topics reflected the interdisciplinary nature of the D2R initiative itself.
Building on the foundation of the inaugural symposium, this year’s agenda included an opening keynote session from University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Professor Jonathan Watts, who presented on Innovations in Nucleic Acid Neurotherapeutics: Dendrons, Duplexes and Divalent Ions. The program also featured a session on EDI in Genomic Research with Professors Daphne Martschenko from Stanford University, and Professor Sam Trejo from Princeton University, co-authors of What We Inherit: How New Technologies and Old Myths Are Shaping Our Genomic Future. Together, these sessions highlighted both the cutting-edge science driving the field forward and the broader societal context shaping its impact.
Part of what makes D2R exceptional is the power of its partnerships, and this was on full display throughout the symposium. From Université de Sherbrooke to the University of Ottawa, to the University of British Columbia, to Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, alongside keynote speakers and industry partners who proudly sponsored the event, D2R’s collaborators gathered from around the world to support and learn about the innovative research happening within the network.
“As D2R enters its next phase, we are strengthening the national ecosystem that supports RNA innovation. Our community has expanded collaborative networks, deepened cross sector partnerships, and helped train the next generation of scientists who will shape Canada’s future in RNA-based therapeutics," expressed D2R’s Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Philippe Gros. “This work reinforces our mission to build a sustainable, integrated, and inclusive approach to genomic-based RNA medicine that serves communities not only across the country, but globally.”
At the crux of the symposium’s purpose is to serve as a meeting ground for trainees, researchers, and industry experts to exchange ideas and forge new collaborations. 58 posters were presented by Masters, doctoral and postdoctoral trainees from D2R-funded labs, and 20 trainees were given the stage to lead talks on their research across the two days. Poster sessions were highly animated, giving the D2R trainees a unique opportunity to engage directly with peers and senior researchers. For the trainees who had the opportunity to give a talk to such a diverse audience, it was a defining moment in their academic development. “It was truly a wonderful experience to give my talk, and I received so many great inputs and feedback and even possible collaborations from the D2R community,” shared Zidi Lyu (PhD in the lab of Professor Masad Damha). “I enjoyed the symposium so much and I am grateful to be in such a vibrant community of RNA researchers.”
Industry was well represented across both days of the symposium, with partners not only sponsoring the event but also engaging thoughtfully with the D2R community in and beyond the formal sessions. “The D2R Research Symposium this year was incredibly energizing! It’s exciting to see our commercialization programs gaining momentum and our partnerships with industry continuing to grow.” said D2R’s Associate Director of Business Development, Janet Prince. “A special highlight was seeing our sponsors actively engaging and sharing their expertise with the community.” Many attendees expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to visit the sponsor booths and interact one-on-one with leading companies driving innovation in in RNA therapeutics, biotechnology and beyond. Platinum and gold level sponsors were also invited to take the stage throughout the program, presenting to an audience composed of both current and future leaders in RNA research. As conversations continued between sessions, it was evident that the symposium had become more than a showcase—it was a catalyst for connection and shared visions.
By bringing together emerging talent, established researchers, government officials, and industry leaders under one roof, D2R is well-positioned to build on this momentum and continue its mission to help shape the future of RNA science and its real-world impact.
