Molecular Biology Course

Lesson 1 • Structure and Function of Nucleic Acids

Examines DNA and RNA primary, secondary, and tertiary structures and their functional implications. Links structural features to biological roles in information storage and transfer.

Lesson 2 • Cell Organisation and Compartmentalisation

Contrasts prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell architecture and organelle functions. Establishes the spatial context in which molecular processes occur.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to Genomics and Proteomics

Introduces genome organisation, gene density, and the proteome concept. Frames the scale of molecular information students will analyse throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Protein Structure and Function

Describes the four levels of protein structure and how folding determines activity. Connects amino acid chemistry to enzyme catalysis and structural roles.

Lesson 1 • DNA Damage Sources and Detection

Catalogues endogenous and exogenous DNA damage types and the sensors that detect them. Provides the basis for understanding repair pathway choice.

Lesson 2 • Replication Machinery and Enzymes

Details the roles of helicases, primases, polymerases, and clamp loaders at the fork. Connects enzyme biochemistry to the speed and accuracy of replication.

Lesson 3 • DNA Repair Pathways

Compares base excision, nucleotide excision, mismatch, and double-strand break repair. Students distinguish pathway substrates and clinical relevance of repair defects.

Lesson 4 • Telomere Replication and Maintenance

Explains the end-replication problem and telomerase-based solutions. Connects telomere biology to cellular ageing and cancer.

Lesson 1 • Polyadenylation and mRNA Export

Covers cleavage and polyadenylation signals, poly(A) tail addition, and nuclear export machinery. Connects mRNA maturation to translational competence.

Lesson 2 • Transcription Elongation and Termination

Examines elongation complex dynamics, pausing, and intrinsic vs. factor-dependent termination. Links termination to downstream RNA processing events.

Lesson 3 • Eukaryotic Transcription Machinery

Details RNA polymerase II, general transcription factors, and mediator complex assembly. Connects basal machinery to regulated gene expression.

Lesson 4 • Pre-mRNA Capping and Splicing

Describes 5′ cap addition, spliceosome assembly, and branch point chemistry. Establishes how introns are removed and exons joined accurately.

Lesson 1 • Translation Initiation Mechanisms

Contrasts Shine-Dalgarno-based prokaryotic initiation with eukaryotic cap-dependent scanning. Explains how start codon selection is achieved in each system.

Lesson 2 • The Genetic Code and tRNA Biology

Analyses codon degeneracy, wobble base pairing, and tRNA charging fidelity. Establishes the molecular dictionary linking nucleotide triplets to amino acids.

Lesson 3 • Elongation, Termination, and Recycling

Details EF-Tu delivery, translocation, release factor recognition, and ribosome recycling. Connects GTPase cycles to translational accuracy and speed.

Lesson 4 • Translational Regulation and Quality Control

Covers ribosome stalling, no-go decay, nonsense-mediated decay, and translational repressors. Links mRNA surveillance to proteome integrity.

Lesson 1 • DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Inheritance

Covers CpG methylation patterns, DNMT enzymes, and maintenance vs. de novo methylation. Explains how epigenetic states are propagated through cell division.

Lesson 2 • Chromatin Structure and Remodelling

Describes nucleosome organisation, histone variants, and ATP-dependent remodelling complexes. Connects chromatin accessibility to transcriptional output.

Lesson 3 • Prokaryotic Transcriptional Regulation

Examines operon logic, repressor and activator mechanisms, and attenuation. Provides a tractable model for understanding regulatory principles before eukaryotic complexity.

Lesson 4 • Eukaryotic Transcription Factor Networks

Covers DNA-binding domain families, activation domains, and combinatorial control. Explains how transcription factor combinations generate cell-type-specific expression.

Lesson 1 • PIWI-Interacting RNAs and Genome Defence

Explains piRNA biogenesis, ping-pong amplification, and transposon silencing in germline cells. Links piRNA pathway defects to genome instability.

Lesson 2 • Small Interfering RNA and Gene Silencing

Distinguishes endogenous siRNA from exogenous dsRNA triggers and explains RISC-mediated cleavage. Connects RNAi to antiviral defence and heterochromatin formation.

Lesson 3 • Long Noncoding RNAs and Chromatin Regulation

Covers lncRNA mechanisms including scaffolding, decoy, guide, and enhancer RNA functions. Explains X-chromosome inactivation as a model lncRNA-driven process.

Lesson 4 • Overview of Noncoding RNA Classes

Surveys rRNA, tRNA, snRNA, snoRNA, and regulatory ncRNA categories by size and function. Establishes a classification framework for the sections that follow.

Lesson 1 • PCR-Based Cloning Strategies

Explains primer design for directional cloning, Gibson assembly, and Golden Gate methods. Enables sequence-precise, scarless insert construction without restriction enzymes.

Lesson 2 • Genomic and cDNA Library Construction

Details library construction from genomic DNA or mRNA, normalisation, and screening strategies. Connects library quality to successful gene isolation and functional studies.

Lesson 3 • Restriction Enzymes and DNA Ligation

Covers restriction enzyme recognition, cutting patterns, and compatible end ligation. Establishes the foundational cut-and-paste logic of classical cloning.

Lesson 4 • Expression Systems and Protein Production

Compares bacterial, yeast, insect, and mammalian expression systems for recombinant protein yield and quality. Guides selection based on folding, glycosylation, and scale needs.

Lesson 1 • CRISPR Variants and Expanded Toolbox

Covers Cas12a, Cas13, base editors, prime editors, and CRISPRi/CRISPRa systems. Expands editing precision and scope beyond double-strand break-dependent approaches.

Lesson 2 • CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism and Design

Details Cas9 domain architecture, guide RNA design rules, PAM requirements, and cleavage mechanism. Enables students to design effective and specific editing experiments.

Lesson 3 • Functional Genomics with CRISPR Screens

Explains pooled genome-wide CRISPR library screens, sgRNA library design, and MAGeCK analysis. Connects screen design to gene function discovery and drug target identification.

Lesson 4 • Principles of Targeted Genome Editing

Introduces the concept of programmable nucleases and DNA break-induced repair pathway choice. Frames the logic of knock-out, knock-in, and base editing outcomes.