Master Nucleic Acids & Peptides: IIT Guwahati's 12-Week Course | Chemical Biology
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 105 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemistry |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 26 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Essentials Of Biomolecules: Nucleic Acids And Peptides – A 12-Week Deep Dive
In the intricate world of life sciences, two classes of biomolecules stand as fundamental pillars: nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins/peptides. Understanding their chemistry, structure, and function is crucial for advancements in medicine, biotechnology, and drug discovery. A new, comprehensive 12-week postgraduate course, led by an expert from IIT Guwahati, is designed to provide this essential knowledge.
About the Course Instructor: Prof. Lal Mohan Kundu
This course is taught by Prof. Lal Mohan Kundu of the Department of Chemistry, IIT Guwahati. With a distinguished academic and research background, Prof. Kundu brings unparalleled expertise:
- Education: B.Sc. (Hons) from Calcutta University, M.Sc. from IIT Kharagpur, and a Ph.D. from LMU Munich, Germany, under Prof. Thomas Carell, focusing on modified nucleic acids, DNA damage, and repair.
- Postdoctoral Research: Worked at the University of Alberta, Canada, and RIKEN, Japan, on synthesizing modified nucleic acid probes for detecting genomic mutations.
- Current Work: His research at IIT Guwahati encompasses organic synthesis of nucleic acids, peptide chemistry, targeted drug delivery, and nanoparticle-based therapeutics.
- Teaching: He regularly teaches organic chemistry, chemical biology, and biological macromolecules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Course Overview: Bridging Chemistry and Biology
This course is meticulously structured to decode the essential chemistry and biology of nucleic acids and proteins. It falls within the exciting interdisciplinary domain of organic chemistry and chemical biology.
Primary Objectives:
- Decipher how the structural features of DNA, RNA, and proteins translate into their biological functions.
- Understand the highly organized chemical reactions behind DNA replication and protein synthesis.
- Learn how organic chemistry tools and enzymes are used to determine DNA and protein sequences.
- Explore chemical modifications to create molecules that mimic biological properties.
- Cover modern techniques and the development of biomolecular probes for high-throughput detection, disease diagnosis, and identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
Who Should Enroll?
- Intended Audience: Postgraduate students and researchers in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology.
- Prerequisites: A basic knowledge of organic chemistry is required.
- Industry Support: The curriculum is highly relevant for all major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies involved in drug discovery, diagnostics, and therapeutic development.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Nucleic Acids and Proteins |
| Week 2 | Synthesis of Nucleobases, Nucleotides, and Oligonucleotides |
| Week 3 | Solid Phase Synthesis of Oligonucleotides |
| Week 4 | DNA Replication, Polymerases, DNA Sequencing, and PCR |
| Week 5 | DNA Damage, Mutations, and Cancer |
| Week 6 | DNA to Proteins: Transcription, Translation, and the Genetic Code |
| Week 7 | Peptides: Sequencing and Therapeutic Applications |
| Week 8 | Solution Phase and Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) |
| Week 9 | Expansion of Genetic Code: PNA, LNA, and Molecular Probes |
| Week 10 | Modern Techniques for Biomolecule Analysis and Disease Diagnosis |
| Week 11 | Structures and Chemistry of Sugars and Carbohydrates |
| Week 12 | Carbohydrate-Based Polymers as Probes and Therapeutics; Course Conclusion |
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will gain a robust understanding of:
- The chemical logic governing the central dogma of molecular biology.
- Hands-on knowledge of synthetic methodologies for nucleic acids and peptides.
- The molecular basis of genetic diseases and cancer.
- The design and application of advanced biomolecular probes and diagnostic tools.
- The interface between traditional organic synthesis and cutting-edge biological applications.
Recommended Textbooks & Resources
To complement the lectures, the course references seminal texts in the field:
- Essentials of Chemical Biology by A. Miller and J. Tanner
- Biochemistry by Berg, Tymoczko, and Stryer
- Molecular Biology of The Cell by Bruce Alberts et al.
- Molecular Biology of The Gene by James D. Watson et al.
This course represents a unique opportunity to build a strong foundational and applied knowledge of biomolecules from a chemical perspective. It is ideal for students aiming to pursue research or careers in chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and molecular diagnostics.
Enroll Now →