# Introduction to Non-coding RNAs Semester: Spring | Year offered: 2025 ## Registration link & deadline Register [HERE](https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4MEyLbWptjaYrNc) by **Monday, April 28.** ## Course description In this course, students will be introduced to the fascinating world of non-coding RNAs, their wide array of characteristics and functions, and their potential applications in biotechnology. These molecules, as their name suggests, do not contain the information necessary to synthesize a protein in their sequences. However, this does not make them any less functional or important. Some are essential for fundamental cellular processes, such as ribosomal RNAs in translation, while others, like microRNAs, play critical roles in fine-tuning gene expression. Additionally, many, such as circular RNAs (circRNAs), are being harnessed for biotechnological purposes. Throughout the course, we will explore these diverse types of RNAs, their primary features, how they are synthesized, how they function, and how they can be utilized in both research and therapeutic contexts. ## Course objectives By the end of the course, 1. Students should be familiarized with many kinds of non-coding RNAs. 2. Students will be able to design, examine and interpret experiments meant for studying non-coding RNAs. 3. Students will be able to identify characteristics of the well- studied non-coding RNAs useful as tools for research and biotechnology. ## Session dates, times, and location The course will consist of three (3) sessions: - Session 1: May 5th, 2 to 5 PM at NRB 1031. There will be optional extra time for questions regarding the class or the activity. - Session 2: May 12th, 2 to 5 PM at NRB 1031. There will be optional extra time for questions regarding the class or the activity. - Session 3: May 19th, 2 to 5 PM at NRB 1031. There will be optional extra time for questions regarding the class or the activity. ## Milestone credit To receive a Milestone, students must: - Attend all three sessions. - At the end of each session, an activity (followed by an assessment that can be completed at home) will be presented: - Activity 1: Students will analyze figures from papers and develop sensible interpretations. - Assessment 1: Students will write their interpretations as if they were part of a “Results” section in a scientific paper. - Activity 2: Students will be provided with various hypotheses about ncRNAs and asked to design experiments to test these hypotheses. - Assessment 2: Students will create a workflow for their experiments, detailing how they would test the hypothesis, including necessary controls, and illustrate their expected results if the hypothesis were true. - Activity 3: Students will be presented with a medically or research-relevant problem and asked to resolve it using tools taught during the course. - Assessment 3: Students will formulate a biotech tool based on ncRNAs to address the given problem. - All three assessments will be graded considering the content taught in the class and must be completed satisfactorily. **More information about Milestone Credit can be found** [**here**](https://curriculumfellows.hms.harvard.edu/nanocourses)**.** ## Course Team **Course directors/instructors** Federico Fuchs Wightman, PhD, Post doc at Harvard Medical School; Silvi Rouskin, PhD, Assistant Professor of Microbiology at Harvard Medical School; [silvi\_rouskin@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:silvi_rouskin@hms.harvard.edu) **Course Curriculum Fellow** Lauren Essler, Curriculum Fellow for the Graduate Program in Bacteriology, [lauren\_essler@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:lauren_essler@hms.harvard.edu) ## Enrollment limit This course is limited to 15 students. Priority will be given to Harvard graduate students taking the course for credit. Harvard Postdocs can register too, and they will be granted access to the course as space allows. ## Registration link & deadline Register [HERE](https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4MEyLbWptjaYrNc) by **Monday, April 28.** See also:- [ Past ](/class-categories/past)