RNA World: RNAinBiology, Medicine & Origin of Life

Catalog description

RNA is central to all existing life forms and was proposed to be the first form of life on earth. RNA serves as an information carrier to guide biological processes and adopts complex structures to promote molecular recognition and catalysis. This course explores the “‘RNA World" starting from structure of RNA to its interaction with other life molecules and its various functions in biological systems. It also explores the role of RNA in the origin of life on earth and applications of RNA in medicine. Both classical experiments and recent advances are covered in this class, with a portion of the course devoted to student presentations and discussion.