MDPI proudly hosted the ncRNA2026: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Impact, the 3^rd event in the ncRNA conference series, From Mechanism to Therapy. Taking place in Leuven, Belgium, the in-person event ran from 24 to 26 June 2026, bringing together experts in the field of non-coding RNA.

This article covers everything you need to know about this conference.

What is the purpose of ncRNA2026?

In recent years, ncRNA studies have revolutionised our understanding of gene regulation, cellular networks, and disease mechanisms. The ncRNA2026 conference brought together the ncRNA community to exchange ideas, present discoveries, and foster collaborations in the field. The event showcased the latest breakthroughs in ncRNA biology and technology, from molecular mechanisms and clinical applications to data science and translational insights.

Alongside experts in the field, the event welcomed patient advocates and industry representatives and featured distinguished international invited speakers.

Schedule overview

The conference hosted 29 sessions on:

• Technological advances in ncRNA research
• Clinical applications and therapeutic innovation in ncRNA
• Emerging ncRNA classes and functional mechanisms
• AI and ncRNA research
• ncRNA roles and development in plants and bacteria

Speaker profiles

The sessions were delivered by the 4 chair speakers and 8 invited speakers from 8 different countries in Europe and the USA:

• George A. Calin – University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, USA
• Manuela Ferracin – Department of Medical and Chirurgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
• Eleonora Leucci – Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Belgium
• Rigoutsos – Thomas Jefferson University, USA
• Janusz Bujnicki – Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Poland
• Pierre Close – Laboratory of Cancer Signaling, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Belgium
• Elisabetta Ferretti – Oncogenomic Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Italy
• Maite Huarte – DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Spain
• Leonard Lipovich – Biology and Biotechnology, College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, China
• Francesco Nicassio – Centre for Genomic Science, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Italy
• Norbert Polacek – Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
• Panagiotis Roussos – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, USA
• Frank J. Slack – HMFP Pathology, Harvard, USA
• Mario Leonardo Squadrito – Vector engineering and in vivo tumor targeting group, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), Italy
• Igor Ulitsky – Weizman Institute of Science, Israel

Participating in ncRNA2026

The conference was a great success, attracting 125 attendees from 25 difference countries and territories, and accepted 96 out of 119 abstract submissions.

MDPI is pleased to have presented 20 Travel Awards before the conference to support in-person attendance.

To find out more details about this conference you can visit the homepage on Sciforum. Keep an eye on our conferences blog page to stay up to date with upcoming MDPI conferences.

A large group of attendees at the ncRNA2026 event in front of the conference building.