At the successful FWF evaluation hearing, the reviewers lauded the role of the DP RNA Biology as it helped establish Vienna as a true hot-spot in RNA research worldwide. The FWF will fund the DP RNA Biology for three more years: The 4th funding period started in January 2017, with a total sum of about EUR 2.6 million, of which EUR 1.4 million are allocated to members at the MFPL. Over a period of 12 years, the DP RNA Biology has now acquired EUR 9.2 million in total and invested in recruiting, educating and supporting PhD students in RNA Biology in order to continue promoting its high-level research in this field. The interdisciplinary education is one of the strongest assets of the program.
Starting off with 11 research groups in 2007, the program has since successfully expanded its faculty to 14 full members and six associate members. The group leaders, internationally recognized and established researchers in the RNA field, constitute a network that has contributed to turn Vienna and the VBC campus into one of the worldwide hot-spots for research on RNA biology. The consortium covers many aspects of RNA-related activities, using a wide range of different model organisms – a point that was especially praised in the FWF evaluation. All this and the combination of molecular biology and bioinformatics within the program ensures an excellent scientific training program. The Vienna RNA Lecture Series and the Vienna RNA Conferences are especially well received by the community and the prolongation of the DP RNA ensures that they can be carried on in the future. Reviewers were convinced that DP RNA Biology students have a notable competitive advantage once they complete the program.
For more information, have a look at the official website.