BIOMG 6380

RNA World: RNAinBiology, Medicine & Origin of Life

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

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.

Prerequisites BIOMG 3300, or BIOMG 3350 or BIOMG 3310/BIOMG 3320 or permission of instructor.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025FA, 2024FA, 2023FA, 2022FA

Learning Outcomes

• Explain structures of RNA including chemical, primary, secondary and tertiary structures and motifs.
• Explain how structure of RNA is related to its function as information carrier.
• Explain how RNA structures confer diverse functions, including binding other molecules and catalysis.
• Explain the roles of RNA in important RNA-protein complexes including ribosome (translation,) and pre-mRNA splicing.
• Explain the RNA interference and CRISPR-Cas and the role of guide RNAs in these processes.
• Discuss hypotheses about the role of RNA in early evolution and origin of life.
• Explain experimental and computational methods used in RNA biology.

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