WG 3

Working Group Description

Number	WG3
Title	Interfering strategies in exRNA communication: translational applications
Leader	Lionel Navarro (LN)

Rationale & Objectives

Although significant amounts of research data on exRNA communication is continuously produced by researchers, there is a gap in translating basic research into application and biotechnology due to a lack of researcher-toindustry connection. To overcome this gap, WG3 will assemble networks of academics and companies that co-ordinately bundle knowledge gain of exRNA-PATH in terms of exRNA biodiversity, functions and mechanisms that will help to develop new RNA-based interfering strategies for applications in biotechnology and drug delivery. We will take advantage of the breadth of knowledge and experience in infection systems in exRNA-PATH to identify the gaps in treatment options in infectious disease where exRNA-based applications and therapies could have maximal impact. WG3 will align research questions and research approaches in order to develop interfering strategies of exRNA communication (R-SOB3).
We have built into our network industrial representation and will prioritize identifying variables that must be further considered and addressed for sustainable translational outcomes (C-SOB2).

Tasks & Activities

·     Run a wiki instance on the exRNA-PATH webpage to share implementation ideas for interfering strategies.
·     Integrate information from functional studies of exRNA communication in plant and animal infection models with cross-disciplinary perspective on microbiome and infection biology.
·     Organize 3 match-making events to establish new collaborations between researchers and industry representatives (stakeholders) to foster and accelerate translational processes.
·     Organise 2 WG meetings per year (online or in-person), 1 mid-term review, and 2 STSMs/year.

Execution & Membership

·     Researchers studying exRNAs for disease control in diverse biological systems.
·     Industry partners with interest in exploiting exRNA achievements in new innovation applications.
·     Collaborate with WG1 and WG2 to receive input on biological diversity, functions and mechanisms of exRNA communication and deliver interfering strategies to be tested.
·     Collaborate with WG4 for communication and dissemination with the stakeholders and the public.

Milestones (M) & Deliverables (D)
M5	Release an instance on the exRNA-PATH webpage to share implementation ideas and interfering strategies.
M6	Release a road map for strategies to interfere with or to engineer exRNA communication, such as artificial RNA target mimics, synthetic RNA/EV formulations, synthetic RNA carriers for targeted delivery.
M2	The mid-term review to map progress of WG3.
D6	Publish strategy papers on how to realize innovative applications in health and agriculture by utilizing the gained knowledge of exRNAs that will be acquired through exRNA-PATH.
D7	Release a white paper on the long-term strategy to contribute to the one-health concept and SDGs.
D3	Joint publication with all WGs: reports on data resources, analysis guidelines, original case- studies and reviews in open access journals.