Towards the comprehensive mapping of the human Epitranscriptome

Context: Advancements in technology have significantly expanded our knowledge of RNA modifications, providing new insights into their potential functions and relevance to human diseases. There has also been substantial growth in the awareness of the multifaceted control these modifications exert over various aspects of RNA biology, including processing, stability, localization, and translation of mRNA into functional proteins. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that the study of RNA modifications is still in its early stages due to their formidable complexity and dynamic nature. More than 150 chemical alterations of nucleobases have been identified in both protein-coding and non-coding RNA across different organisms. Deciphering the regulatory roles of these modifications is particularly challenging given their intricate cell type- and context-dependent patterns.

The problem: Despite notable strides made by research groups worldwide in developing new methods and analysing the biological functions of RNA modifications, the overall research effort in this field remains fragmented. Additionally, the lack of effective communication and data integration among research groups continues to hinder progress. Therefore, we believe there is a pressing need for the development of a comprehensive and collaborative platform to advance our understanding of the epitranscriptome, while facilitating data exchange and promoting standardisation practices across the scientific community.

The solution: We propose the formation of a global consortium consisting of public research institutions and industry groups. This consortium would serve as a centralised hub for facilitating the development of the RNA modification mapping technologies, depositing and sharing information, while promoting consistent standards and data formats that can be used interchangeably by researchers interested in various organisms or tissues. The proposed consortium will encourage researchers employing various technologies to work together effectively. In addition, it will provide resources and infrastructure, facilitate reliable and consistent data analysis, thereby enabling comprehensive and rigorous research in the epitranscriptomics field.