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Stephen P. Bell, Tania A. Baker, Mary Ellen Wiltrout, Nathaniel Schafheimer, and Sera Thornton

In Part 2 of this Molecular Biology course, you’ll explore transcription of DNA to RNA, a key part of the central dogma of biology and the first step of gene expression.

Did you know that transposable elements, the genetic information that can move from location to location, make up roughly 50 % of the human genome? Did you know that scientists have linked their movement into specific genes to the causes of certain diseases? You’ll also learn how these “jumping genes” work and how scientists study them in Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition.

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In Part 2 of this Molecular Biology course, you’ll explore transcription of DNA to RNA, a key part of the central dogma of biology and the first step of gene expression.

Did you know that transposable elements, the genetic information that can move from location to location, make up roughly 50 % of the human genome? Did you know that scientists have linked their movement into specific genes to the causes of certain diseases? You’ll also learn how these “jumping genes” work and how scientists study them in Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition.

Are you ready to go beyond the “what" of scientific information presented in textbooks and explore how scientists deduce the details of these molecular models?

Take a behind-the-scenes look at modern molecular genetics, from the classic experimental events that identified the proteins and elements involved in transcription and transposition to cutting-edge assays that apply the power of genome sequencing. We've designed the problems in this course to build your experimental design and data analysis skills.

Let’s explore the limits of our current knowledge about the transcription machinery and mechanisms of transposition. If you are up for the challenge, join us in 7.28.2x Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to compare and contrast transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
  • How to describe several mechanisms of transposition
  • How to analyze protein structures to infer functional information
  • How todesign the best experiment to test a hypothesis
  • How to interpret data from transcription and transposition experiments

Syllabus

Week 1 : Machinery and Promoters of Bacterial Transcription
Week 2 : Bacterial Regulation of Bacterial Transcription
Week 3 : Machinery and Promoters of Eukaryotic Transcription
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Week 4 : Regulation of Eukaryotic Transcription I
Week 5 : Regulation of Eukaryotic Transcription II
Week 6 : Transposition
Week 7 : CRISPR

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches a practical set of skills used in industry: analyze protein structures to infer functional information
Develops specialized knowledge in molecular genetics: mechanisms of transposition and CRISPR
Covers unique topics within molecular biology: transposable elements and their role in gene regulation
Taught by a team of instructors: Mary Ellen Wiltrout, Nathaniel Schafheimer, Stephen P. Bell, Tania A. Baker, and Sera Thornton

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Reviews summary

Molecular biology's processes

Students largely agree that this engaging Molecular Biology course is of high quality. Challenging quizzes are especially well received and help learners apply their knowledge in practical ways. The course is the second in a series, and the instructor, Professor Bell, is frequently praised for their clear explanations and blackboard writing style.
Learners should complete the first course in the series, 7.28.1x, before taking this one.
"It's necessary to take these courses in order, but if you do, the problem sets are excellent and tell a continuous story while promoting active learning, not just regurgitation of material."
"In this course you go through the details of experiments at the level of publications in Nature."
"This course is not an introductory course! Be ready to invest time unless you have excellent grasp on molecular biology."
The course provides learners with insights into the latest gene sequencing technologies.
"I have learned far more from this course than I have even dreamed of."
"Another great course from the MITx Bio team. You'll learn about the molecular details of how RNA is produced from DNA in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells."
"The last 2 weeks goes into the details how transposition and CRISPR works which are important to understand gene therapy/editing technologies."
The course emphasizes the practical applications of molecular biology through the study of assays.
"This course is not easy. You can't simply memorize your way through it, instead you need to actually understand the topics in order to be successful with the problem solving required in the quizzes."
"The course takes the analysis of experimental data to a next level - everything is under scrutiny."
"You'll learn about the molecular details of how RNA is produced from DNA in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The series put a great emphasis on assays, i.e. they explain to you how did they find out what they found out."
Professor Bell is an excellent lecturer with a pleasant teaching style.
"Professor Bell is an excellent lecturer and describes the subject in a pleasant and nicely structured language."
"Excellent in-depth course with an emphasis on experimental assays to apply your knowledge of the underlying mechanisms taught in the lectures."
"Great opportunity attending real MIT Microbiology Classroom. Rewarding experience as a bystander, sharing State of the art technologies."
The quizzes are well designed and challenging in a positive way.
"The quizzes are not aiming just at a formal memorization of what was said during the lecture but lead you through new assays and methods that were not covered in the previous lectures."
"The quizzes require a work from the learner that at the end unifies the entire set of all experimental setups and their respective goals into a clear meaningful picture."
"The quizzes are made with incredible care. The attention paid to the design of the exercises made each question a piece of jewelry work."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Molecular Biology - Part 2: Transcription and Transposition with these activities:
Watch Video Lectures
Review course materials asynchronously to supplement class sessions
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  • Find online video lectures on course topics
  • Watch and take notes on the videos
  • Pause and rewind as needed to clarify understanding
Compile Class Notes
Compile and organize notes in one location to use for future reference
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  • review existing notes
  • expand upon notes and add additional detail
  • organize all notes in one place
Join a Research Lab
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  • Research and identify potential labs
  • Contact professors and inquire about opportunities
  • Join a lab and participate in research projects
Three other activities
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Design an Experiment
Apply course concepts to design experiments to test hypotheses
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  • Define the hypothesis to be tested
  • Design an experiment with proper controls and variables
  • Predict the results and explain how they will support or refute the hypothesis
Attend a Conference
Engage with experts, learn about cutting-edge research, and network within the field
Browse courses on Molecular Biology
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  • Research conferences and identify relevant ones
  • Submit an abstract for consideration
  • Prepare a presentation or poster
  • Attend the conference
Design a Research Poster
Present research findings in a concise and visually engaging manner
Browse courses on Poster Design
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  • Identify a research topic and gather data
  • Create a poster template and design a layout
  • Write a clear and concise abstract
  • Present findings in a visually appealing way

Career center

Learners who complete Molecular Biology - Part 2: Transcription and Transposition will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Genetic Counselor
Genetic Counselors who wish to understand the mechanisms through which genetic information is transcribed may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition very helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The course also teaches how to analyze protein structures to infer functional information, which is essential for genetic counselors who wish to provide accurate and up-to-date information about genes and genetic disorders.
Bioinformatician
Bioinformaticians who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Molecular Biologist
Molecular Biologists who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The course also teaches how to analyze protein structures to infer functional information, which is essential for molecular biologists who want to understand how genes work and how to manipulate them.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Computational Biologist
Computational Biologists who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The course also teaches how to analyze protein structures to infer functional information, which is essential for computational biologists who want to develop new methods for analyzing biological data.
Microbiologist
Microbiologists who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Physician
Physicians who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Physicians need a deep understanding of how genes are transcribed and translated, as this knowledge is essential for diagnosing and treating genetic diseases.
Toxicologist
Toxicologists who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This knowledge can be used to assess the potential risks of exposure to environmental toxins.
Pharmacologist
Pharmacologists who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The course also teaches how to analyze protein structures to infer functional information, which is essential for pharmacologists who want to develop new drugs and therapies.
Chemist
Chemists who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The course also teaches how to analyze protein structures to infer functional information, which is essential for chemists who want to develop new drugs and therapies.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This knowledge can be used to identify the causes of disease and develop strategies for prevention and treatment.
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This knowledge can be used to design and analyze studies that investigate the relationship between gene expression and disease.
Science Writer
Science Writers who want to build a foundation in the mechanisms of transcription and transposition may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This knowledge can be used to write clear and accurate articles about the latest advances in molecular biology.
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorneys who want to specialize in biotechnology may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This knowledge can be used to assess the validity of patents related to genetic technologies.
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrators who want to gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of disease may find the course Molecular Biology: Transcription and Transposition helpful. This course can help these professionals gain valuable knowledge about the machinery and promoters of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription, as well as the regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This knowledge can be used to make informed decisions about the development and implementation of new healthcare technologies and treatments.

Reading list

We've selected 27 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Molecular Biology - Part 2: Transcription and Transposition.
This classic textbook provides a comprehensive overview of molecular biology, including detailed coverage of transcription and transposition. It valuable resource for both students and researchers.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of gene structure, function, and regulation, including transcription and transposition. It valuable reference for students who wish to delve deeper into the subject matter.
Provides a comprehensive overview of transposable element. It covers the molecular mechanisms of transposition and the evolutionary implications of transposable elements.
Provides a detailed overview of transcription, including the mechanisms and regulation of transcription in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It valuable resource for students and researchers interested in transcription.
This laboratory manual provides detailed protocols for molecular cloning techniques, including those used in transcription and transposition research. It valuable resource for students who need to gain practical experience in these techniques.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of microbial genetics, including transcription and transposition in bacteria. It offers a valuable foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms covered in the course.
Classic textbook of pathology, covering a wide range of topics from the structure of cells to the regulation of organ systems. It valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
This laboratory manual provides a collection of protocols for basic molecular biology techniques, including those used in transcription and transposition research. It useful resource for students who need to refresh their fundamental skills.
This textbook provides an introduction to genetic engineering, including techniques used in transcription and transposition research. It useful resource for students who need to understand the broader context of molecular biology.
Classic textbook of genetics, covering a wide range of topics from the structure of DNA to the regulation of gene expression. It valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
Classic textbook of genetics, covering a wide range of topics from the structure of DNA to the regulation of gene expression. It valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
Classic textbook of developmental biology, covering a wide range of topics from the structure of embryos to the regulation of organogenesis. It valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
Classic textbook of immunology, covering a wide range of topics from the structure of the immune system to the regulation of immune responses. It valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
Classic textbook of microbiology, covering a wide range of topics from the structure of bacteria to the regulation of microbial growth. It valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
Provides a clear and concise overview of RNA and protein synthesis. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the basic mechanisms of gene expression.
Provides a fundamental introduction to DNA science, including transcription and transposition. It useful resource for students who need to refresh their basic knowledge or who are new to the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of bioinformatics techniques, including step-by-step protocols. It valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
Provides a comprehensive overview of genes, including their structure, function, and regulation. It valuable resource for students and researchers interested in genes.
Provides a clear and concise introduction to the essential genes that are involved in transcription and transposition. It useful resource for students who want to gain a basic understanding of these processes.
Provides a comprehensive overview of molecular biology, including detailed coverage of transcription and transposition. It valuable resource for both students and researchers.
Provides a comprehensive overview of statistical methods used in molecular biology, including step-by-step examples. It valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
Provides a comprehensive overview of human biology, including detailed coverage of transcription and transposition. It valuable resource for both students and researchers.
Provides a comprehensive overview of biology, including detailed coverage of transcription and transposition. It valuable resource for both students and researchers.
This classic biochemistry textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field, including chapters on transcription and translation. It would be a good resource for students who want to learn more about the biochemical basis of these processes.
This classic textbook of molecular biology provides a comprehensive overview of the field, including chapters on transcription and transposition. It would be an excellent supplemental or reference text for this course.

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