For decades, researchers isolated protein and precious mRNA from in their fume hoods, only to toss most ncRNA in the waste bin. We even went as far as calling them “junk.” Fortunately for us, one researcher’s junk is another’s journal cover.

Nowadays we routinely see ncRNA dominating the red carpet with Science and Nature cover shots and Nobel Laureates, confirming what we’ve always thought but were always to afraid to speak: it’s an RNA World, proteins are just living in it.  One thing’s for sure, life science research, like it or not, is subject to similar trends we see in our lives everywhere. Spandex, big hair, stonewashed jeans and proteins will all make a comeback, but until then we’ll be following the RNA world explode.