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Plant RNA Biology

Beyond the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

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Teaching

I am teaching two courses each year:

Gene 302, Principles of Genetics, Credits = 3. Fall, Every Year 

Lecture:   MWF: 10:20-11:10am, BICH RM. 107

Objectives: This course is designed to provide a comprehensive illustration of genetics for students majoring in the molecular life sciences. The course will cover the principles of classic  transmission genetics with integration with molecular, developmental, population genetics and high-throughout sequencing. This class is considered to be prerequisite for GENE/BICH431 and 486 (RNA world).

Textbook:    1. Introduction to Genetic Principles by David Hyde, 2009 1st Edition McGraw Hill. 2. Other selected readings and Web pages assigned by instructor.

BICH 656/BICH656, RNA world, 3-credits. Fall, Every year

(Co-teach this course with Dr. Jorge Cruz-Reyes)

Lecture:     Time: 3:55 – 5:10 pm. Tues and Thursday, Room: Bio 221A

Objectives:  RNA is an essential macromolecule in almost every biological system. In the central dogma of molecular genetics, RNA bridges the flow of genetic information from DNA to protein. However, recent years have seen an explosion in the discovery of RNA-mediated new processes and regulatory roles. This three-credit course in RNA biology, taught by two leading experts in the RNA field, is suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate students majoring in life sciences. The course emphasizes novel roles and mechanisms of newly discovered RNA species including non-coding RNAs. It covers a wide range of topics in modern RNA biology including RNA silencing, circular RNAs, RNA-guided transcriptional regulation, CRISPR/Cas immunity and genome editing, telomerase biogenesis, riboswitches, exosome and editosome, and helicase regulation. This class also discusses breakthroughs of RNA biology in medicine and biotechnology. For senior undergraduates, the course is complementary to BICH/ GENE 431 that covers general molecular genetics. For graduate students, the course is a solid platform to understand newly emerging concepts in RNA biology.

Prerequisites: You should have already taken BICH/GENE 301/302 and one of additional basic courses in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and/or biochemistry, such as BICH410/411. This class is also a good complement to BICH/GENE 431 that is also offered in the fall every year.

Recent Posts

  • Leica STELLARIS 5 confocal is on use now! January 11, 2023
  • Congrats on Zhen Wang for graduation in Dec. 2022. He is now Dr. Wang. January 7, 2023
  • Congrats on Tianru for successful qualification exam, now for being the latest Ph.D. candidate in the lab! April 5, 2022
  • Congrats on successful qualification exams to Niankui and Xingxing, now two new Ph.D. candidates! February 3, 2022
  • Congrats on Lin, Xingxing and Yanjun for acceptance of the paper in Science Advances February 1, 2022
  • Welcome on board, Gracie and Anthony! February 1, 2022

Archives

We are studying RNA silencing in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana and several economically-important crops.

RNA silencing is a key regulatory process that controls various aspects of biology in eukaryotes including growth and development, antiviral defense and chromosome gardening. The common themes under RNA silencing include the biogenesis of small RNAs by DICERs or Dicer-like proteins and the incorporation of the small RNAs into Argonaute (AGO)-centered RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs). 

The RISCs execute the repressive or regulatory functions on target genes at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional levels.  Our long-term goals are to understand novel functions and mechanisms of RNA silencing in plants.

Get in touch

Biochemistry & Biophysics Blvd

2128 TAMU, Rm 316. College Station, TX 77840

e-mail: xiuren.zhang@tamu.edu

Tel: 979-458-0596

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