RNA Biology

By Prof. Rajesh Ramachandran | IISER Mohali

Learners enrolled: 1347

ABOUT THE COURSE:
The origin of life on earth is believed to be started from RNA. The RNA remains one of the most studied, yet enigmatic molecules of biology. RNA can form complex structures with enzymatic activity that can be even engineered, known as ribozymes. Several medical applications also have emerged based on RNA biology. RNA biology is strongly linked with chromatin dynamics and gene expression in a cell, which is the fundamental basis of life.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Graduates, Post graduates and PhD students

PREREQUISITES: Minimum qualification is bachelors in Science. Post graduation in Science is desirable

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Biotechnology and pharma industry

Summary

Course Status :	Completed
Course Type :	Elective
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Postgraduate
Start Date :	23 Jan 2023
End Date :	14 Apr 2023
Enrollment Ends :	06 Feb 2023
Exam Registration Ends :	17 Mar 2023
Exam Date :	29 Apr 2023 IST

Note: This exam date is subjected to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: Introduction to RNA Biology and RNA world (Lectures 1-6)

Week 2: RNA as enzymes: The Ribozymes (Lectures 7-9)

Week 3: RNA Transcription (Lectures 10-14)

Week 4: RNA Processing and Life cycle (Lectures 15-17)

Week 5: Alternative RNA processing and editing (Lectures 18-23)

Week 6: RNA splicing, export and stability (Lectures 24-27)

Week 7: snRNA, rRNA, miRNA, siRNA processing, export and function (Lectures 28-33)

Week 8: Mechanisms of RNA decay and Non coding RNAs (lectures 34-39)

Week 9: Dosage compensation and X-inactivation (Lectures 40-44)

Week 10: Dosage compensation, Xist and ncRNA in imprinting (lectures 45-51)

Week 11: Telomere, telomerase and impact on genomes (lectures 52-57)

Week 12: Epitranscriptome and protein synthesis (Lectures 58-62)

Books and references

John F. Atkins et al (ed.), RNA Worlds: From Life’s Origins to Diversity in Gene Regulation CSHL press (2011).
Gunter Meister (ed.), RNA Biology: An Introduction Wiley press (2011).
David Elliott and Michael Ladomery (ed.), Molecular Biology of RNA Oxford University Press (2011).
James Darnell (ed.), RNA: Life’s Indispensable Molecule CSHL press (2011).

Instructor bio

Prof. Rajesh Ramachandran

IISER Mohali

Prof. Rajesh Ramachandran is working as Associate professor at IISER Mohali since 2012. He did his Ph.D from CCMB Hyderabad followed by postdoctoral training on regeneration biology at University of Michigan, USA. His lab is currently working on various aspects of tissue regeneration in Zebrafish and Axolotl models, with special reference to retina, fin and limbs. His lab uses different pharmacological, genetic, epigenetic, cellular and molecular tools to understand various aspects of tissue regeneration. His lab studies the importance of microRNAs, mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs during zebrafish retina regeneration. His lab has published several research articled and reviews that are widely cited in the regeneration biology field.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.

The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).

Date and Time of Exams: 29 April 2023 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.

Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.

The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.

Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of NPTEL and IISER Mohali .It will be e-verifiable at nptel.ac.in/noc.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- NPTEL team

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