Faculty of Arts & Science
Chemistry & Biochemistry

The annual RiboWest Conference regularly attracts about 100 RNA researchers from 35 different research groups in western Canada and northwest USA who share a general interest into RNA because life is more than just DNA. The RNA field is one of the most vividly growing areas of life science research, has contributed to our understanding of numerous diseases, resulted in several innovative technologies and was frequently rewarded by Nobel awards. Based on the strong standing of the University of Lethbridge in RNA research, we were able to attract this RNA meeting to southern Alberta in 2008 such that RiboWest 2010 is already the second time that this event is hosted by the University of Lethbridge.

This year, we are very pleased to announce that the world renowned RNA investigator and past president of the international RNA Society, Dr. Reinhard Lührmann from the Max-Planck Institute in Göttingen, Germany, has agreed to be our keynote speaker. Dr. Reinhard Lührmann is a world-class researcher in the RNA field who has published more than 250 high-quality publications since 1973. Among the numerous awards he received, we have to mention in particular the Leibniz Prize of the German Research Foundation in 1996 and the Ernst Jung Prize for Medicine in 2003 (Euro 300,000). 

In addition, we are looking forward to have Dr. Jean-Pierre Perreault as an invited speaker from the RiboClub in Sherbrooke, Quebec, since it is our tradition to strengthen the inner-canadian network of RNA investigators. Dr. Jean-Pierre Perreault is an expert in biochemistry and RNA biology of viral RNAs, and his research has resulted in almost 100 publications. He is clearly one of the most successful RNA researchers in Canada.

The RNA researchers from western Canada and northwest US very much like the RiboWest meeting as it allows exchanging scientific achievements, building new networks, establishing collaborations, developing joint grant applications, and sharing equipment in joint research projects. Thus, we are fostering collaborative, inter-disciplinary research in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, cell biology and theoretical chemistry. Ultimately, this will enable the discovery of new RNA functions critical for fighting diseases and for development of new technologies. 

Furthermore, it is the specific aim of the RiboWest Conference to facilitate student participation in order to support their training in RNA research. In order to support these aims, we have received $ 8,500 from research funding agencies, $ 1,000 from the international RNA Society and $ 5,000 from corporate sponsors. Thereby, students have reduced registration fees, have the opportunity to give oral presentations, can win awards for presentations or posters and can participate in a career workshop. Hence, the RiboWest Conference significantly contributes totraining of highly qualified personnel in the life sciences (and beyond) and to creating a knowledge-based highly diversified society.

Ute Kothe, Hans-Joachim Wieden, Steve Mosimann
(Organizers of the RiboWest Conference 2010)