Admission requirements
This course is mandatory for and restricted to students who do the Minor ‘Modern Drug Discovery’ (MDD). The same admission criteria apply to this course as for the entire Minor MDD.
Description
When the mechanism of disease is understood, the clinical appearance of this disease can in most cases be corrected via RNA therapeutics. However, RNA molecules should reach the correct site of the body at the right time and in the right amount without being degraded by ubiquitous nucleases. This can be achieved by designing an adequate RNA delivery system, and choosing a suitable route of administration. The choice for a certain administration route and delivery system depends partially on the nature of the RNA molecule. For example: oligonucleotides need a different approach than mRNA molecules.
During this course, students acquire detailed knowledge on diverse aspects of (m)RNA therapeutics, including synthesis, oligonucleotides, mRNA therapeutics and vaccines, CRISPR/Cas-based therapeutics, nanocarriers, and administration routes.
Besides 9 lectures, students perform a group project with 5-6 students after following a workshop on the use of genome databases. By using literature, students design a novel RNA-based therapeutic for a given disease. The designed therapeutic and its formulation is presented in the form of a research report and a poster presentation.
Course Objectives
- Describing the synthesis, mechanisms of RNA therapeutics, including CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutics
- Designing a novel RNA therapeutic for a given disease together with a group of students
- Writing a scientific report and creating a scientific poster presentation together with a group of students
- Individually presenting and defending a scientific poster
Timetable
You will find the timetables for all courses and degree programmes of Leiden University in the tool MyTimetable (login). Any teaching activities that you have successfully registered for in uSis will automatically be displayed in MyTimetable. Any timetables that you add manually, will be saved and automatically displayed the next time you sign in.
MyTimetable allows you to integrate your timetable with your calendar apps such as Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and other calendar apps on your smartphone. Any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar. If you wish, you can also receive an email notification of the change. You can turn notifications on in ‘Settings’ (after login).
For more information on MyTimetable, watch the video or go to the 'help-page' in MyTimetable.
PLEASE NOTE
Always check the detailed schedule on the Brightspace module of each Course 2-3 weeks before the start of the Course for group-specific meetings, (intermediate) deadlines, etc..
Mode of instruction
Lectures, a genome database workshop and a group project with 5-6 students.
Assessment method
Written exam (50%), group report (20%), poster preparation in groups (20%) and individual presentation (10%).
Reading list
Depending on the subject, specific literature will be studied and incorporated in the research report.
Registration
All students that are admitted to the Minor MDD will be registered for this course in uSis by the Minor coordinator; other students cannot take this course.
Contact
Dhr. Dr. Ir. J. Bussmann.
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.