RNA has recently taken center stage with the discovery that many contemporary RNAs combine the role of both genotype and phenotype in one molecule, thus offering a possible solution to the paradox of which came first: DNA or proteins. This seminar explores the link between modern RNA and suggestions for a prebiotic RNA world that existed some 3.8 billion years ago. Topics include prebiotic synthesis, replication and in vitro evolution of nucleic acids; conventional and bizarre forms of RNA processing; and structure, function and evolution of ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, and both naturally occurring and engineered ribozymes. The format will be a weekly seminar with some outside speakers. Texts include The RNA World (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press) and recent articles on functional RNA and evolution. Requirements will be student presentations and participation.

Schedule of invited speakers, topics, and readings from The RNA World:
(Click on each week to see full reading list)

9/20 Prospects for understanding the RNA world: Prebiotic evolution and
some examples from modern RNA (pp. ix-xxiii, ch. 1, 18, appendix 2)
9/27 Andy Ellington, Indiana Univ. (chapters 19, 20)
"In vitro selection in the RNA world"
10/4 Ribosomal RNA, RNA structure and molecular evolution (2, 4, 16, 17)
10/11 Overview of the 6 classes of naturally occurring ribozymes:
 RNase P (4, 11)
10/18 Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and ribosomes (3, 5, 6)
10/25 Nancy Maizels, Yale University, "Phylogeny from function
"The origin of tRNA is in replication, not translation" (7, 9, 22, 23)
(11/1 Fall Break)
11/8 Group I introns: structure, catalysis, and evolution (11, 8)
11/15 Stu Kauffman, Sante Fe Institute
"Molecular fitness landscapes"
11/22 Group II introns: structure, function, and phylogeny (11)
11/29 Small catalytic RNAs: hammerhead and hairpin ribozymes (12, 21)
12/6 Rob Dorit, Yale University (16)
"In vitro RNA evolution: How does new function arise?"
12/13 Ribozyme (and deoxyribozyme) engineering by design vs. selection

Reading period - cis- and trans-splicing; RNA-protein interactions (10, 13, 14)
 Intron evolution
 RNA editing (15)

 * The seminar will normally meet Wednesdays from 1:30 - 4:20 p.m., with EEB departmental seminars at 4:30 p.m. on weeks with invited speakers, followed by evening discussion sessions at 5:45 p.m.