Gene Regulation: A Bench-to-Bedside Journey

MCB 197 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

How do all our cells carry the same DNA yet perform distinct functions in our body? How do cells know what type of proteins they should produce? In this class, we will look at the rules and mechanisms that enable a subset of genes to be selectively expressed in each cell. We will examine how disruptions in gene regulation contribute to disease and design therapeutic strategies for correcting gene expression in disease.

This course adopts a classroom “bench-to-bedside” approach, mirroring the translation of basic scientific research in the laboratory into practical medical applications in the clinic. Each week you’ll engage in complementary sessions — “bench” and “bedside” — that bridge the gap between scientific foundations and practical applications. In bench sessions, you will engage in lectures exploring historical discoveries and modern methodologies in gene regulation, foster critical thinking through in-class discussions, and critique primary research publications. Topics covered will include genome architecture, gene expression, RNA processing, and the non-coding genome. In bedside sessions, you will learn to visualize and interpret human genomic and transcriptomic data through public genome browsers (no coding required), and you will practice designing CRISPR, siRNA, and ASO therapeutics for disease. As a final project, you will draw upon insights acquired from bench and bedside sessions to design a novel therapeutic strategy for a genetic condition, which will be presented in class.

This course offers a unique opportunity to explore aspects of gene regulation, from its molecular foundation to practical implementation in gene therapy.