OVERVIEW

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Biotechnology - An Introductory Course is organized by The Center for Professional Innovation & Education (CfPIE), Inc. and will be held from Nov 03 - 05, 2026.

Description:
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a key intermediary molecule in the flow of genetic information from genes to their manifestation as functional proteins. The many other known functions of RNA in the cell support the widely acclaimed “RNA world hypothesis” in which RNA, and not DNA or protein, was the primary primordial information molecule. From the perspective of the RNA practitioner, its labile nature mandates great precision during recovery from cells and tissues and in all downstream methods used for RNA analysis.

Perhaps the most significant recent advancement in the RNA world has been the successful production of mRNA vaccines to combat a worldwide pandemic. The speed and entrepreneurial manner in which these important pharmaceuticals became available has demonstrated clearly and without question that this is the advent of the RNA vaccine. The success, effectiveness, and the economics behind the production of these vaccines portend the development of many more types of RNA vaccines in the near future.

?This course, intended for the non-specialist, will focus on selected methods for working with RNA in both basic and applied research settings. This includes commonly used applications in university research labs as well as contemporary uses for RNA within the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Examples of modern-day RNA-associated molecular biology innovations and success stories will be highlighted. At the end of this course, the participant will be conversant with respect to standard terminology and methods used in the field and will have an appreciation for the opportunities that exist within this discipline.

Learning Objectives:

Articulate the various types of RNA found in the cell and the role of each.
Become familiar with concepts pertaining to basic molecular biology principles and the flow of genetic information in the cell.
Understand how the isolation, handling, storage, and processing of RNA differs fundamentally compared to DNA methods.
Understand the techniques that are currently in use to identify and measure RNA activity in the cell.
Understand various contemporary areas of research and their applications, including RNA vaccines and other RNA therapeutic approaches.
Acquire the facility for communication with colleagues and associates in various areas of molecular biology.