Summer 2021 - MBB 729 G100
RNA-mediated Gene Regulation (3)
Class Number: 2648
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Wed, Fri, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Peter Unrau
punrau@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
RNA plays an important role in gene regulation. This course will explore recent primary literature studying the biochemistry of these processes. Students who have taken MBB 420 or MBB 829 under the same title cannot take this course for further credit.
COURSE DETAILS:
Topics
1. RNA interference in plants and animals.
2. CRISPR bacterial antiviral defense.
3. Transcriptional and translational regulation – riboswitches, tmRNA, IRES elements, 6S RNA, etc.
4. Post-transcriptional processing – editing, capping and splicing. Naturally occurring ribozymes.
Grading
- Essay 50%
- Class participation 25%
- Presentation to undergraduates 25%
NOTES:
- Lecture: synchronous (students are expected to attend scheduled lectures remotely with their webcam turned on)
- Assessments: synchronous midterm exams (students must take exams during scheduled class time)
- Final Exam: no final exam
- Remote invigilation: Yes
REQUIREMENTS:
- access to high-speed internet
- computer with webcam
- Zoom capability
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
None. This course is based on primary literature (journal articles). Supplementary material will be made available from selected texts or journal articles.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Bloomfield, Crothers and Tinoco. Nucleic Acids Structures, Properties and Functions, 2000. University Science Books. This text is a great nucleic acid resource.
ISBN: 0-935702-49-0
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021
Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).