Learn the fundamental principles and advanced concepts of molecular biology in this comprehensive course that progresses from basic foundations through complex cellular processes. Master DNA replication mechanisms, recombination, transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and various RNA processing events including splicing, editing, and the roles of different RNA types. Explore translation processes from initiation to termination, post-translational modifications, and modern omics technologies including genomic sequencing, functional genomics, and proteomics. Gain deep understanding of the genetic code, ribosomes, chromatin structure, and various regulatory mechanisms that control gene expression. Develop expertise in both theoretical concepts and practical applications through detailed study of DNA damage and repair, site-specific recombination, and the latest developments in CRISPR technology and non-coding RNAs.
Overview
Syllabus
- Unit 1 Fundations of Molecular Biology
- 1.1 History of molecular biology
- 1.2 Structure of macromolecules
- Unit 2 DNA Replication I
- 2.1 General features of DNA replication
- 2.2 Enzymology of DNA Replication
- 2.3 DNA damage and Repair
- Unit 3 DNA Replication II
- 3.1 Detail mechanisms of DNA replication I
- 3.2 Detail mechanisms of DNA replication II
- 3.3 Detail mechanisms of DNA replication III
- 3.4 Detail mechanisms of DNA replication IV
- Unit 4 DNA recombination
- 4.1 DNA recombination
- 4.2 Site-specific recombination
- Unit 5 Transcription in Prokaryotes
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Transcription in prokaryotes
- 5.3 Transcription regulation in prokaryotes
- Unit 6 Transcription in Eukaryotes I
- 6.1 Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases and Their Promoters
- 6.2 General Transcription Factors in Eukaryotes
- Unit 7 Transcription in Eukaryotes II
- 7.1 Transcription Activators in Eukaryotes
- 7.2 Chromatin Structure and Its Effects on Transcription
- Unit 8 RNA Processing Events I
- 8.1 Introduction of coding RNAs
- 8.2 Splicesome
- 8.3 Splicing Specificity
- 8.4 Autosplicing
- Unit 9 RNA Processing Events II
- 9.1 Capping
- 9.2 Polyadenylation
- 9.3 Coordination
- 9.4 Methylation
- 9.5 Termination
- Unit 10 RNA Processing Events III
- 10.1 Introduction of noncoding RNAs
- 10.2 trans-splicing, RNA editing and guide RNA
- 10.3 5'- and 3'-UTRs
- 10.4 siRNAs and miRNAs
- Unit 11 RNA Processing Events IV
- 11.1 lncRNAs
- 11.2 circRNAs
- 11.3 CRISPR RNAs
- 11.4 piRNAs
- Unit 12 Translation I
- 12.1 Overview of translation
- 12.2 The genetic code
- 12.3 Ribosome
- Unit 13 Translation II
- 13.1 Translation initiation
- 13.2 Translation elongation
- Unit 14 Tranlation III
- 14.1 Translation termination
- 14.2 Posttranslation events
- Unit 15 Omics
- 15.1 Genomic sequencing
- 15.2 Functional genomics
- 15.3 Proteomics
- Final Exam
Taught by
Zi Chao Zhang, Henry H. Xie, and Moyi Li
