NWI-MOL107
RNA Structure and Function
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleNWI-MOL107
Credits (ECTS)6
CategoryBA (Bachelor)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Science; Moleculaire Wetenschappen;
Lecturer(s)
PreviousNext 3
Lecturer
dr. J.J. Jansen
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. H. Marks
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
prof. dr. G.J.M. Pruijn
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
prof. dr. G.J.M. Pruijn
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
prof. dr. G.J.M. Pruijn
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2018
Period
KW2  (05/11/2018 to 27/01/2019)
Starting block
KW2
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims

After completing the course, the student will be able:

  • to evaluate the versatility of RNA chemistry and structure in biological systems
  • to explain the mechanisms and functions of diverse classes of non-coding RNA in gene expression
  • to analyse and design RNA drug targets and therapeutics in biomedical applications
  • to employ basic methods for the analysis of big datasets on RNA
  • to synthesize chemistry and biology knowledge in order to explore interdisciplinary RNA research
Content
RNA has emerged as a molecule of major importance throughout biology. Interest in RNA has exploded over the last decade, fueled in part by the discovery of microRNAs and RNA interference. In this course, students will be introduced to the diversity of especially non-coding RNA molecules and their functions in the cell. An interdisciplinary approach to understanding RNA structure and function will be taken. Both small and long non-coding RNAs became recognized as important players in biological systems. Coupled with the recognition that virtually every base of genomic DNA is transcribed at some level, it became apparent that non-coding RNAs have critical functions.
RNA science benefits from high throughput sequencing (HTS) to map global transcription to understand the complement of RNAs in the cell at any moment and under any condition. New bioinformatics methods have been and are being developed to extract biologically relevant information from these big datasets. In addition, even transient RNAs contain a wide range of post-transcriptional modifications, which may uncover yet another layer of regulation that we still do not fully appreciate.
RNA, as a novel therapeutic drug class, has the potential to address problems at any step of protein building, preventing the production of a non-functional protein. Furthermore, RNA’s ability to turn genes on and off enables scientists to identify the root origins of diseases and develop novel therapeutic approaches.
Topics
• RNA secondary and tertiary structure
• Ribonucleoprotein complexes
• Catalytic RNAs; ribozymes
• Riboswitches
• RNA editing
• Diversity of non-coding RNAs
• microRNAs
• RNA interference
• CRISPR interference
• Long non-coding RNAs
• Circular RNAs
• Modified nucleotides in non-coding RNAs
• RNA and gene (in)activation
• RNA as a therapeutic molecule
• RNA as a therapeutic target
• Big RNA data
• (Non-coding) RNAs in virus biology
• RNA aptamers

Test information
Written exam and assessment of presentations

Prerequisites
Knowledge obtained in the course Biochemistry & Molecular Biology II (NWI-BB017C) or in an equivalent course is required.

Required materials
Book
Lodish et al., Molecular Cell Biology, 7th edition (Publisher: Freeman and company, New York, 2012),
ISBN:9781464109812
Blackboard
Lecture powerpoint slides will be provided via Blackboard
Articles
Scientific (review) papers

Recommended materials
Book
Lindsay and Griffiths-Jones, Essays in Biochemistry, Vol 54 (Portland Press Ltd., London, 2013)

Instructional modes
Course

General
More information will be provided at the start of the course.

Lecture

Practical computer training

Presentation

Response course

Zelfstudie

Tests
Exam
Test weight4
Test typeExam
OpportunitiesBlock KW2, Block KW3

Presentation
Test weight1
Test typePresentation
OpportunitiesBlock KW2