Biology of RNA

RNA technology is poised to drive a new era of discovery and innovation across human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, and industry—an inflection point as consequential as the recombinant DNA revolution of the 1980s. At the heart of this transformation is a deeper recognition of RNA’s central place in biology: beyond its well-known role in protein synthesis, RNA performs structural, functional, and regulatory tasks that shape protein activity and phenotype, and can even act independently, as seen in catalytic ribozymes. Non-protein-coding RNAs, which account for more than 95% of the transcriptional output of human, animal, and plant genomes, exist in many forms, including antisense and circular RNAs; some also encode peptides or are processed into fragments with distinct functions. Together, they help govern gene expression, chromatin remodeling, cellular growth, and a wide range of other biological processes. Far more numerous than protein-coding RNAs, these molecules are emerging as powerful drivers of heritable, measurable phenotypic variation that meet classical Mendelian definitions of genes and inheritance. As the first comprehensive survey of noncoding RNAs, this textbook provides a timely and authoritative introduction to one of the most dynamic frontiers in modern biology. It offers a broad overview of RNA biology while serving as a companion volume to The Biology of RNA: Long and Small Non-coding RNAs, and two forthcoming volumes on on the practical applications of RNA. The Practical Applications of RNA: Medicine, and The Practical Applications of RNA: Agriculture and Industry. Designed to promote learning and long-term retention, each chapter features overviews, learning objectives, and clearly highlighted key concepts, definitions, and key takeaways, along with case studies and quizzes that help readers apply what they have learned. By bringing together foundational discoveries, current research, and emerging directions, this textbook is an indispensable resource for undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and all readers seeking a deeper understanding of this fast-moving field.