Non-coding RNAs in Health and Disease

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are molecules able to regulate cell fate both in physiological conditions and in disease by controlling transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms. Originating from “the dark matter” of the genome, ncRNAs lately became increasingly crucial multipurpose regulators of all biological processes, therefore they have gained potential functions as biomarkers or as therapeutic targets.

The main objective of this proposal is to develop a transnational and transdisciplinary course that will facilitate current knowledge in the emerging role of ncRNAs both in healthy, as well as in pathological conditions and the regulatory functions of these molecules. In order to achieve our aim, a team of academics with expertise in the field of ncRNAs from CIVIS universities was gathered to facilitate and mediate the creation of a blended intensive program (BIP) relevant for the biomedical area (Biology, Biotechnology, Medicine, etc). 

Targeted audience comprises master, as well as PhD students with biological sciences, biotechnology, molecular biology and/or medical background. The course will be structured in modules, each dedicated to a particular research theme of ncRNAs.

This program is a Blended Intensive Program (BIP), with an extensive virtual component (covering one semester) and one week of physical mobility to the organizing university. In order to offer flexibility for the student needs and schedule, the program offers the students the possibility to choose to enroll either to four of the modules (corresponding to 5 ECTS upon completion) or to all of them (full program corresponding to 8 ECTS upon completion).

The virtual component comprises of 9 modules, each with a set structure over a 2-week period (two lecture sessions with the instructor, two workshop sessions and two sessions of student team presentations).  We will focus on innovative teaching techniques including brainstorming, journal clubs, experimental design, critical thinking, problem-based learning, flipped classroom, use of bioinformatic tools in experimental analysis.

The physical mobility week will have a balanced program between teaching activities, interactive workshops that include innovative digital aspects, assessment and social interaction. Social events will be organized to promote the multicultural interactions and explore the heritage of Bucharest and Romania.

The distribution of the modules among the CIVIS partner Universities is equilibrated and well divided according to their expertise, as follows: 

1. Non-coding RNAs in the developmental process and stem cell differentiation 
2. Non-coding RNAs interaction with metabolic enzymes (ribo-regulation) 
3. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cell proliferation and differentiation 
4. The roles of non-coding RNAs as cancer biomarkers 
5. Role of non-coding RNAs in metabolic diseases 
6. Non-coding RNAs in neuropathological conditions 
7. Non-coding RNAs role in cancer biology
8. Functions of mRNA non-coding regions

Following this programme, the students will be able to:

• improve their knowledge of ncRNAs as regulators in both physiological and pathological conditions
• advance their oral communication and experimental design skills, following workshops and presentations sessions
• develop their skills in critical thinking and analysis of scientific papers
• enhance their computational and data analysis skills
• improve multicultural interactions

During the virtual component, interactive online lectures will be provided by the teachers, during which students will be able to put forth their questions. A flipped classroom approach will also be employed.

Workshop sessions, in which critical analysis of scientific papers will be performed under teacher guidance, will allow the students to gain important skills such as critical thinking, problem-based learning, development of an experimental design, as well as teamwork.

The students’ presentations for each module will heavily rely on individual and group work, facilitating the interaction between students and stimulating a multicultural environment.

Moreover, during the physical component, students and teachers will participate in lectures that will allow the transition from the theoretical aspects to the practical application of ncRNAs in research and industry. Also, the use of novel digital methods will allow the students to enhance their bioinformatic expertise.

The physical mobility part will be running from 14 to 18 July 2025 in Bucharest, Romania. The program has a balanced structure comprising of lectures, workshop activities, evaluation activities as well as direct interaction to the academic staff, trainers and industry representatives (applicative side of the course). This interconnected program will ensure the stated learning outcomes, improving students’ knowledge about ncRNAs in different research areas.

Activities during the physical component totalize 30 hours (5 days x 6 h/day). Each day students will benefit of an invited speaker lecture, workshop activities, evaluation activities (written exam, group presentation, problem-based discussion), presentation from an industry representative. 

The virtual component will be structured in 8 modules, from 17 February to 4 July 2025. Each module consists of 2 weeks of activities (6 online meetings - 2 lectures, 2 workshops, 2 student team presentations sessions - total 10 h/ module) and it is dedicated to a particular ncRNAs subject. Each Professor will coordinate one module of activities.

Provisional calendar: 

• M1: 17 - 28 February 2025 
• M2: 03 - 14 March 2025 
• M3: 17 - 28 March 2025 
• M4: 31 March - 11 April 2025 
• Easter Break: 12 - 27 April 2025 
• M5: 28 April - 9 May 2025 
• M6: 12 - 23 May 2025 
• M7: 26 May - 6 June 2025 
• M8: 9 - 20 June 2025 

Online connection will be ensured by Zoom platform (common link), while all the supporting materials, articles, presentations, evaluation forms will be grouped in Google Classroom.

The virtual part of the BIP is closely related to the learning outcomes. The students will be able to improve their knowledge regarding the roles and functions of non-coding RNAs in different physiological or pathological conditions due to the generous number of hours allocated for lectures given by experts in the field. Skills such as critical thinking, comparative analysis, experimental design will be developed during the workshop hours, under the direct supervision of the experts. Analysis of scientific papers and selection of the critical aspects regarding ncRNAs will be ensured by workshops.

Improvement of communication skills, as well as team work presentation in front of an audience will be gained during student presentation sessions. Constructive feedback from the professors will help in adjusting the quality of the visual and oral presentations. Interaction with colleagues from different CIVIS Universities will expand students’ multicultural and learning experiences.

Evaluation activities will be included throughout the program, both during the virtual component (40%) and also during the physical mobility (60%). The students will have to accomplish a series of tasks including critical presentation of scientific publications, producing a synthetic presentation based on team work etc. The participation and assistance of the students to different activities will be also considered. 

During the virtual component, students will be evaluated for the modules that they choose to follow by:

• a short multiple-choice test after the lecture part - 10% of the final grade.
• a PowerPoint presentation based on a given article (team work) - 30% of the final grade 

During the physical component, student evaluation will consist of:

• a written exam from the modules that the student completed - 30% of the final grade
• an oral assessment on a given non-coding RNA in front of the colleagues and professors - 30% of the final grade

Motivation Letter

Level of english (According to CEFR)

CV

Other

Applications will be evaluated based on the documents above. 

The instructors represent CIVIS partner Universities and their expertise is diverse, as follows:

• Prof. Monica Ballarino, Sapienza Università di Roma is an expert on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cell proliferation and differentiation
• Prof. Francesca Cutruzzola, Sapienza Università di Roma works on non-coding RNAs interaction with metabolic enzymes (ribo-regulation)
• Prof. Maria Isabel Sanchez, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid will share her expertise regarding the roles of non-coding RNAs as cancer biomarkers
• Prof. Romano Regazzi, University of Lausanne works on the role of non-coding RNAs in metabolic diseases
• Prof. Thorsten Schmidt, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen is an expert on non-coding RNAs in neuropathological conditions
• Dr. Nicolas Casadei, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen is an expert in RNA biology and RNA sequencing
• Prof. Cyril Gueydan, Université libre de Bruxelles will emphasize the functions of mRNA non-coding regions
• Prof. Margaritis Avgeris, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens will share his knowledge on non-coding
  RNAs role in cancer
• Prof. Sorina Dinescu, University of Bucharest is the course coordinator and will share her expertise on non-coding RNAs in the developmental process and stem cell differentiation.