Listed in: Biology, as BIOL-420
Formerly listed as: BIOL-45
David I. Ratner (Section 01)
If the basic tenants of eukaryotic molecular biology have followed the prokaryotic paradigm-- DNA makes RNA makes protein--established decades ago, the importance of eukaryotic RNA that is not translated into protein is only now becoming appreciated. While barely more than 1% of the human genome encodes protein, recent evidence suggests that as much as 98% of our genome is transcribed! What function, if any, do all those RNA species serve? Incorporating articles from the recent scientific literature, this course will focus on topics such as: the diverse roles of micro RNAs in regulating gene expression; the use of piwi RNAs in genome defense; the origin and possible function of long “antisense” transcripts; modification of RNA transcripts (coding and noncoding) by alternative splicing and editing; and the role of long non-coding RNAs in X chromosome inactivation and other epigenetic phenomena. Three classroom hours per week.
Requisite: BIOL 251; alternatively, any two of the following courses: BIOL 220, 241, 291, 331, and 380/1. Limited to 15 students. Spring semester. Professor Ratner.
Section 01
W 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM MCLS 428