BIOL 451Biology of RNA
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) plays a central role in all organisms on earth, and was very likely the central molecule during the origin of terrestrial life. This course will explore the biological functions that RNA plays in diverse organisms, including transcription, translation, virology, and RNA-interference, and CRISPR-based genome editing. There will be a strong emphasis on the evolution of RNA functions and upon the relevance of RNA-based biological mechanisms to health, disease, and society. The course laboratory focuses on computational skills required for modern analysis of RNA, and emphasized genome-wide studies. This course requires knowledge on the basic mechanisms of molecular biology and genetics, and is designed for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students in the Biology or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) departments. Reading materials will involve selections from textbooks, as well as from the scientific literature. Students will be evaluated on the basis of written examinations, homeworks, and a final laboratory project.