London Calling 2023: Identifying m6A RNA modifications in neuroblastoma cell lines using nanopore sequencing

Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer in which half of patients are classified as high risk and are already in advanced disease, which is associated with poor outcome despite intensive treatment. This project aimed to use direct RNA sequencing to identify and characterise N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modifications in human neuroblastoma cell lines. There is evidence to suggest m6A modifications are involved in neuroblastoma biology, susceptibility, and prognosis. Using the bioinformatic tool, m6Anet, we identified m6A modifications and characterised target genes in the cell lines analysed. Many of the genes identified as being m6A modified have been implicated in neuroblastoma and more broadly in cancer previously; and a gene ontology analysis showed significant enrichment in important biological processes. Further analysis is needed to understand the significance of these RNA modifications in neuroblastoma.