1STRAND aims to showcase San Diego as the premier location for research and development of RNA targeting medicines. 1STRAND’s vision is to be the central link to facilitate networking amongst industry professionals, academics, and the public alike, to highlight progress in the field, and to attract and retain talent to the San Diego region. San Diego county is recognized as a biotechnology hub with more than 1,700 life science establishments, and within this figure, close to 30 RNA focused companies. We aim to present San Diego as the place where existing companies can grow, and new ventures can begin. Currently there is a high talent pool of professionals in San Diego and with highlighting San Diego as a top center, we hope to attract additional qualified individuals to San Diego County. Along with the high number of RNA biotechnology companies, San Diego is also known for having the top prestigious educational and academic centers in the world, including some carrying out RNA research. 1STRAND aspires to enable the sharing of RNA information between these institutions, the local industry companies, and the public. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1STRAND has recognized the importance of not only science industry professionals to have access to the latest information and scientific developments happening in and around San Diego County, and far beyond, but also for the general public in the San Diego County region to have access to local, reliable resources for this information as well.