KE825: Nucleic Acids in Medicinal Chemistry and Nanobiotechnology (5 ECTS)

STADS: 10008201

Level
Master's level course approved as PhD course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: ias@sdu.dk

Timetable
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Prerequisites:
Bachelor Degree in biology, chemistry, physics, molecular biology, nanobioscience, pharmacy or medicine. Or B.Sc. minor degree in chemistry.

Academic preconditions:
None

Course introduction
The purpose of the course is to provide knowledge of the nucleic acid chemistry and applications in modern nanobiotechnology, especially for the design, synthesis and applications of novel modified nucleic acids (DNA, RNA and XNA) in biomedicine and pharmacy. The course is highly research-oriented, and there will be primary focus on the latest research in the fields of nucleic acid chemistry and nanobiotechnology. There will also be demonstrations of NAC facilities and the opportunity to participate in experimental research projects at NAC after the course.

Expected learning outcome
After having completed this course, the student is expected to be able to:

• Recognize new modified nucleic acids (including PNA and LNA), their structure and properties.
• Determine the chemical and enzymatic synthesis step for nucleic acids with specific properties for their further practical applications.
• Plan synthesis, purification and analysis of modified nucleic acids with the use of e.g. click chemistry, automatic oligonucleotide synthesis apparatus, chromatography (column and HPLC), NMR and mass spectrometry (ESI and MALDI MS) techniques.
• Plan necessary studies to assess the potential of synthetic nucleic acid for the desired practical application (biomolecular diagnostics, therapy or formation of nano-structures with specific properties).
• Describe and explain expectations for the relationship between the chemical structure of a synthetic nucleic acid analogue and its nano-technological pattern, focusing mainly on diagnostic and therapeutic properties.

Subject overview

1. Short refresher of the structural elements of nucleic acids and their chemical and optical properties; conformations and 3D structures. Interactions between nucleic acids and small molecules or proteins. Nucleoside antibiotics, anti-virus drugs, G-quadruplex ligands.
2. Modified nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, XNA), their synthesis and practical applications.
3. Molecular diagnostics in vitro by means of the modified nucleic acids (PCR, ELISA, FISH, microarray technology, sequencing).
4. Formation and studies of DNA/RNA nano-structures and nano-machines (self-assembly in vitro, DNA origami; imaging).
5. Application of synthetic nucleic acids in biomolecular targeting in vitro and in vivo (the basic principles of antisense, siRNA, miRNA, aptamer technology).
6. Current status of gene therapy. Delivery, cellular uptake and function of synthetic DNA and RNA oligonucleotides.

Literature

• G Michael Blackburn, Michael J Gait, David Loakes, David M Williams: Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology, RCS publishing, 2006.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Oral exam. Danish 7 mark scale, external examiner (5 ECTS).

Reexam in the same exam period or immediately thereafter. The form of examination by reexamination may be different exam at the ordinary exam.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

• Undervisningen vil bestå af forelæsninger (2 dobbelttime om ugen, i alt 28 timer), eksaminatorier (1 dobbelttime om ugen, i alt 14 timer) og NAC laboratoriefremvisning samt præsentation af aktuelle forskningsaktiviteter (3 timer).
• Der vil være særlig fokus på de nyeste forskningsresultater og praktiske aspekter af syntese og studier indenfor modificerede nukleinsyrer, rettet mod deres anvendelser i nanoteknologi, biomedicin og farmaci.
• Studerende laver en præsentation omkring en forskningsartikel eller et patent, som de arbejder med i studiegrupper.
• Der vil blive præsenteret flere individuelle eksperimentelle projekter, som kan laves hos NAC.

Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer. However, if international students participate, the teaching language will always be English.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.