mRNA Design and Optimisation in Theory | Essentials (online)
Summary
Designing effective mRNA vaccines and therapeutics requires a clear understanding of how sequence-level design decisions influence molecular performance. This fully online, self-paced short course provides training in mRNA medicine design and optimisation, equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to build robust and fit-for-purpose mRNA constructs. Delivered across four focused modules, the short course guides participants through the design rationale, quantitative metrics, and decision logic that underpins mRNA medicines. Participants learn how to optimise all key components of an mRNA construct including untranslated regions (UTRs) and coding sequences (CDS) and how these choices directly affect mRNA stability, translational efficiency, and manufacturability. The short course also introduces the design foundations of next-generation mRNA modalities, including self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA), highlighting how design constraints and optimisation strategies differ across modalities. This comparative framework supports informed selection and tailoring of mRNA modalities for specific applications. In addition, participants are guided in selecting appropriate mRNA delivery carriers based on the intended application and disease target, reinforcing the link between sequence design, formulation, and functional outcome. To consolidate learning, the short course provides a structured computational roadmap that walks participants through the key questions, analyses, and tools to apply when working with an existing mRNA sequence. Overall, this short course is designed to empower participants to critically evaluate design options and apply optimisation strategies rationally in the development of next-generation mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.
| Format | Online, self-paced learning |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 hours |
| Fees | AUD 480 incl. GST |
| Target Audience | The mRNA Design and Optimisation in Theory | Essentials short course is positioned at an intermediate level. Participants are expected to have foundational knowledge of mRNA biology or relevant training in (but not limited to) molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmaceutical science, bioengineering, biotechnology, computational biology, data science, or related life science and engineering fields. The short course is particularly suited to those in industry or academia who are involved in, or transitioning into, roles related to the design and optimisation of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. |
Highlights
This short course is delivered through four fully online, self-paced modules, followed by a final assessment designed to consolidate learning and apply acquired knowledge to practical mRNA design and modality selection scenarios.
