Course Content

1. Introduction to Transcription

   • Genetic Information Encoding

   • DNA to RNA Information Transfer

2. General Features of the Genetic Code

   • Triplet Code and Codon Specificity

   • Start and Stop Codons

   • Nonoverlapping and Comma-less Nature of the Code

   • Colinearity and Universality

3. Early Studies on the Genetic Code

   • The Role of mRNA

   • Discovery of Messenger RNA (mRNA)

   • The Triplet Nature of the Genetic Code

4. Early Studies on the Genetic Code

   • Frameshift Mutations and Crick’s Experiment

   • Nirenberg and Matthaei’s Discoveries

   • Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Systems

   • Polynucleotide Phosphorylase and RNA Synthesis

5. Experimental Methods to Identify Codons

   • Homopolymer Experiments

   • Triplet Binding Assay

   • Repeating Copolymer Experiments

6. Patterns in the Genetic Code

   • Degeneracy and Codon Assignments

   • Wobble Hypothesis and tRNA Flexibility

7. Initiation and Termination Codons

   • Start Codon: AUG and Methionine

   • Stop Codons: UAA, UAG, UGA

   • Nonsense Mutations and Protein Truncation

8. Universality and Exceptions in the Genetic Code

   • Mitochondrial Code Variations

   • Evolutionary Adaptations of the Code

9. Transcription Process

   • Role of RNA Polymerase

   • Promoters and Template Binding

   • Cis-Acting Elements: Promoters and Terminators

10. Regulation of Transcription

    • Consensus Sequences and Their Impact

    • Strength of Promoters and Gene Expression Levels

    • Sigma Factors and Their Role in Bacteria

11. Regulation of Transcription

    • Proofreading and RNA Polymerase Fidelity

    • Intrinsic and Rho-Dependent Termination

12. Differences Between Bacterial and Eukaryotic Transcription

    • Nucleus vs. Cytoplasmic Transcription

    • Chromatin Remodeling in Eukaryotes

    • Cis-Acting Enhancers and Silencers

13. Transcription in Eukaryotes

    • RNA Polymerase I, II, and III

    • Core Promoter and Enhancers

    • General and Specific Transcription Factors

14. Post-Transcriptional Modifications

    • Capping and Polyadenylation

    • Processing of mRNA in Eukaryotes

    • Alternative Splicing and Exon Shuffling

15. RNA Splicing and Its Mechanisms

    • Self-Splicing Introns (Group I and II)

    • Spliceosome and Small Nuclear RNAs (snRNAs)

    • Role of snRNPs in Pre-mRNA Processing

16. Significance of Introns and Exons

    • Alternative Splicing and Gene Diversity

    • Evolutionary Importance of Introns

    • Regulatory Functions of Intronic Sequences

17. Termination of Transcription in Eukaryotes

    • Cleavage and Polyadenylation

    • Regulation of mRNA Stability

Who Should Enroll?

• - Students in biology, genetics, and biotechnology who want a deeper understanding of transcription.

• - Researchers working in genomics, transcriptomics, and molecular biology.

• - Science communicators and educators explaining gene expression and regulation.

• - Science communicators and educators explaining gene expression and regulation.