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120.613.01
Nucleic Acid Chemistry

Location
East Baltimore
Term
3rd Term
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2012 - 2013
Instruction Method
TBD
Class Time(s)
M, W, 3:30 - 4:50pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry and/or Molecular Biology

Description
Discusses nucleic acid structure, and also describes techniques for manipulating and analyzing nucleic acids, including gel electrophoresis, PCR, and DNA sequencing. Reviews methods used to synthesize nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides, and chemical reactions that lead to modifications of nucleic acids. Additional topics include: nucleic acid molecular beacons and molecular wires; antisense and antigene oligonucleotides; nucleic acid nanostructures and "machines", and nucleic acid aptamers.
Learning Objectives
This course will prepare you to be able to do the following:
  1. Design schemes to synthesize nucleosides and oligonucleotides
  2. Predict the products of reactions between nucleic acids and various chemical agents, ionizing and ultraviolet radiation
  3. Understand the design and function of antisense, antigene and siRNAs
  4. Understand the design and synthesis of nucleic acid nanostructures and machines
  5. Understand how nucleic acid aptamers are applied to biological problems
Enrollment Restriction
Undergraduate students are prohibited from registering for this course.