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MITx: Molecular Biology – Part 3: RNA Processing and Translation

An in-depth adventure through RNA Processing and Translation. Strengthen your scientific thinking and biological experimental design skills.

8 weeks
4–8 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

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Starts Mar 19
Ends May 28

About this course

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In Part 3 of 7.28x, you’ll explore translation of mRNA to protein, a key part of the central dogma of biology. Do you know how RNA turnover or RNA splicing affects the outcome of translation? Although not official steps in the central dogma, the mechanisms of RNA processing strongly influence gene expression.

Are you ready to go beyond the “what" of scientific information presented in textbooks and explore how scientists deduce the details of these molecular models?

Take a behind-the-scenes look at modern molecular biology, from the classic experimental events that identified the proteins and elements involved in translation and RNA splicing to cutting-edge assays that apply the power of genome sequencing. Do you feel confident in your ability to design molecular biology experiments and interpret data from them? We've designed the assessments in this course to build your experimental design and data analysis skills.

Let’s explore the limits of our current knowledge about the translation machinery and mechanisms of RNA turnover and splicing. If you are up for the challenge, join us in 7.28.3x Molecular Biology: RNA Processing and Translation.

At a glance

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcripts: English, 中文
  • Associated skills:Scientific Methods, Molecular Biology, Biochemical Assays, Influencing Skills, Language Translation, Data Analysis, Machinery, Splicing, Biology, Ribonucleic Acid Sequencing, Information Sciences, Whole Genome Sequencing, Experimental Design, MRNAs

What you'll learn

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  • How to compare and contrast translation in bacteria and eukaryotes
  • How to describe several mechanisms of RNA turnover and RNA splicing
  • How to analyze protein structures to infer functional information
  • How to design the best experiment to test a hypothesis
  • How to interpret data from translation and RNA processing experiments

Week 1: Translation I – Overview and Key Players
Week 2: Translation II – Elongation
Week 3: Translation III – Initiation and Termination
Week 4: Translation IV – Regulation of Translation
Week 5: RNA Splicing I – Mechanisms
Week 6: RNA Splicing II – Proofreading and Alternative Splicing
Week 7: RNA Turnover I – Assays and General Mechanisms
Week 8: RNA Turnover II – Specific Bacterial and Eukaryotic Mechanisms

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

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