|
| Udgave: |
Efterår 2012 NAT |
| ECTS points: |
7.5 |
| Punkter: |
7,5 |
| Point: |
7,5 |
| Point: |
7,5 |
| Blokstruktur: |
1. blok |
| Skemagruppe: |
C |
| Institutter: |
Department of Biology & Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. |
| Uddannelsesdel: |
Kandidat niveau |
| Kontaktpersoner: |
Jeppe Vinther, tlf. 3532 1264, e-mail: jvinther@bio.ku.dk |
| Andre undervisere: |
Jan Christiansen, Henrik Nielsen. |
| Skema- oplysninger: |
 Vis skema for kurset
Samlet oversigt over tid og sted for alle kurser inden for Lektionsplan for Det Naturvidenskabelige Fakultet Efterår 2012 NAT |
| Formål: |
Life originated from an RNA world and RNA continues to play a central role in most key aspects of cellular life. The course will cover some of the basic properties of RNA relating to structure, folding, protein binding and catalysis with special emphasis on functions of RNA related to human health. The course will also give students a thorough introduction to new aspects of RNA biology stemming from the recently discovered pervasive transcription of genomes into different kinds of untranslated RNAs (also known as ncRNAs). Other important elements of the course are invited lectures with leading Danish scientists in the field and the writing of a short essay on a selected RNA topic. |
| Indhold: |
During the first 6 weeks, central topics in RNA research will be introduced in overview lectures on Monday afternoons. Topics include microRNAs, the RNA world, ribozymes, RNA-binding proteins, RNA therapeutics, and computational resources for RNA biology. Wednesdays are reserved for group work and invited lectures with leading RNA Biology researchers from Danish universities and biotech firms. The project work is in groups of 3 students. Each group will do a small literature project on a subject related to RNA biology (approx. 6 pages). The subjects of the essays are outlined in advance by the teachers and students should choose a subject that they find of particular importance and interest. Essay supervision by the teachers will be scheduled and consists of 2 x 30 min during the 6 weeks. These meetings will focus on: 1) Introduction to literature search and discussion of the project outline, 2) Discussion of which subjects to include in the essay and how it should be structured and 3) Feedback on a draft and final suggestions. All the finished essays will be collected in a compendium, which will serve as curriculum for the exam. Two weeks are reserved for preparation to the exam, during which the groups will meet and answer question on their project from the other students.
The exam is oral for each student individually and consists of a short presentation/discussion of one essay randomly chosen from the compendium (typically this part of the curriculum is 8-10 different essays). Next the student will get some questions to the essay that the student wrote together with his/her group, followed by questions in the topics covered in the Meister RNA Biology textbook. These questions will not relate to specific details such as the names of protein etc., but rather be focused at concepts and overall mechanisms. The written essay will count app. 1/3 and the oral examination app. 2/3 of the final grade. |
| Målbeskrivelse: |
At the conclusion of the course, the students should be able to:
Understand the principles of RNA structure and discuss how the structure relate to function.
Outline the biogenesis and functions of mRNAs, miRNAs, snoRNAs, rRNAs, tRNAs, long noncoding RNAs and discuss the functional relevance of these different RNAs.
Discuss the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of antisense drugs targeting RNAs.
Identify relevant articles from the primary literature to a given subject related to RNA Biology.
Write a short and concise essay on a subject within RNA Biology, which will allow fellow students to understand the key points.
Identify and communicate key points on a subject within RNA Biology.
Formulate questions to and give constructive feedback on projects presented by other students.
The grade 12 reflects an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses.
|
| Lærebøger: |
Meister, Gunter: RNA Biology. An Introduction, 1st edition, April 2011, http://www.wiley-vch.de/publish/en/books/bySubjectCH00/bySubSubjectCHB1/3-527-32278-7/?sID=3h31rn660algpm8fn6mroqkfo7 |
| Tilmelding: |
Registration via KUnet in the period 15 May - 1 June. |
| Faglige forudsætninger: |
The course is open to students at the master’s level and others with a relevant biological background such as students in their final year at the bachelor level. |
| Formelle krav: |
It is a requirement that students should have passed all first and second year courses in the biochemistry, biology, or molecular biomedicine bachelor curricula, or their equivalents. |
| Eksamensform: |
Each student is required to write an essay in collaboration with 2 other students and defend it in plenum. The written essays will contribute approximately 1/3 to the grade. The other 2/3 of the grade depends on an individual oral exam, which consists of a presentation/discussion of one essay written by other participants on the course, followed by defense of the students own essay and finally an examination in basic knowledge in RNA Biology with focus on concepts and overall mechanisms. Grading is according to the 7-step scale and with internal censor.
Reexam: Oral exam in syllabus. Same as ordinary exam. To participate in the reexam the student must have handed in the project report from the ordinary exam.
|
| Kursus hjemmeside: |
 |
| Bemærkninger: |
Minimum number of participants is 12. |
| Undervisnings- sprog: |
Engelsk
|
| Sidst redigeret: |
19/3-2012 |