Free Online Certificate Course on DNA from Jacobs University Bremen, Germany. Enroll !!!!

Totally Free Online Certificate Course on : DNA - From Structure to Therapy

· by Dr.rer. nat. habil. Susanne Illenberger and Prof. DPhil. Sebastian Springer

·  Jacobs University Bremen

• Online Platform: iversity (https://iversity.org/courses/dna-from-structure-to-therapy?r=c8625)

· Registration Open to all

· Course Structure:

The course will be organized into 14 units of approx. 15 min each. The units will follow a common scheme with a short introductory sequence that discusses the importance of the topic covered. The main part of the lecture will have molecular models, power point animations, live drawings, and short lecture video sequences. At the end of each unit, we will provide a question catalogue and links to supporting material. Immediate self testing will be possible through multiple choice questions and interactive tasks. As homework, students will work on "open questions" in student-centered discussion groups. Open questions are based on but not restricted to the material covered in the course, and students will be encouraged to do their own reading to answer them.

The fourteen units comprise the following topics:

1. How DNA is present in everyday life (DNA History I)
2. DNA History II
3. The structure and properties of DNA – DNA fingerprint
4. Replication – the copying of DNA
5. From DNA to Protein I - Transcription of Genes
6. From DNA to Protein II - RNA processing
7. From DNA to Protein III – translating the genetic code
8. Methods I – making Genes visible
9. Methods II – amplifying Genes
10. Introduction to Genetic Diseases - Cancer
11. Consequences of Mutations
12. How to repair mutations?
13. Muscular Dystrophies - when muscles die
14. Stem Cell Therapies – replacing defective cells

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to answer the following questions after completing the course:
1. Why and how has DNA become one of the most powerful tools in research?
2. What exactly does gene therapy mean?
3. Why is it so hard to find a cure for cancer?
4. For which diseases may DNA-based technology help developing a therapy?
5. What are potentials and risks in gene-based medicine?

Prior Knowledge

Participants that possess an interest in modern biomedical research will be able to grasp the key concepts without strong background knowledge. In order to pass the final exam, though, high school level knowledge in chemistry and biology will be advantageous when we draw chemical structures or address cell biological questions.

The link for the course https://iversity.org/courses/dna-from-structure-to-therapy?r=c8625