Course Identification

Nucleic acids structure and function
20262122

Lecturers and Teaching Assistants

Dr. Shirley Daube
Atar Gilat

Course Schedule and Location

2026
Second Semester
Sunday, 11:15 - 13:00, Science Teaching Lab 1

Tutorials
Wednesday, 09:15 - 11:00, WSoS, Rm B
12/04/2026
28/06/2026

Field of Study, Course Type and Credit Points

Chemical Sciences: Lecture; Elective; Core; 3.00 points
Life Sciences: Lecture; 3.00 points

Comments

(1) The courses that are attended by less than 4 students will be cancelled
(2) Cluster - Bio-related

The tutorial on Wednesday 22/4 is cancelled due to Independence Day. A makeup tutorial will be held on Thursday 23/4 between 11:15-13:00 at Drory Auditorium, Weissman Building:
https://map.weizmann.ac.il/#ctdl-UMAP_2016030796281,BLD_2016071259495,FAC_2019030386114

Prerequisites

  • Basic Thermodynamics
  • Basic Reaction Kinetics
  • Basic Organic chemistry

Restrictions

25

Language of Instruction

English

Registration by

15/04/2026

Attendance and participation

Expected and Recommended

Grade Type

Numerical (out of 100)

Grade Breakdown (in %)

70%
30%

Evaluation Type

Final assignment

Scheduled date 1

N/A
N/A
-
N/A

Estimated Weekly Independent Workload (in hours)

3

Syllabus

  • The discovery of DNA
  • Physical properties of nucleic acids
  • Analytical methods for nucleic acids characterization
  • DNA binding by drugs and proteins
  • DNA synthesis
  • DNA transactions: replication; transcription; mutagenesis; repair.
  • DNA supercoiling and packaging
  • RNA - structure and function
  • DNA in nanotechnology and medicine.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. Recognize and appreciate the structural parameters and chemical properties of nucleic acids and how these affect their biological function.
  2. Know common techniques that are used to characterize, synthesize and purify nucleic acids.
  3. Be able to critically read and review current literature involving chemical and biochemical aspects of nucleic acids.

Reading List

N/A

Website

N/A