Who should attend

This short course is positioned at an intermediate level. It is expected that the participants of this short course have some foundational knowledge of mRNA or have background training in (but not exclusively) molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biology, pharmacology and/or pharmaceutical science. This short course is best suited to those who are interested in pursuing roles in research, development or formulation of mRNA medicines.

What you will learn

• Design mRNA sequences with optimal stability and translational efficiency through the application of comprehensive knowledge regarding codon usage, GC content, and regulatory elements
• Engineer untranslated regions (UTRs) and optimise structural motifs to enhance mRNA half-life, ribosome recruitment, and protein yield
• Utilise computational tools to predict and refine mRNA secondary structures, minimising detrimental folding while maximising functionality
• Compare and contrast different types of RNA therapeutics, including conventional mRNA, self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), and circular RNA
• Identify the key factors influencing the selection of an optimal mRNA delivery system, including stability, efficiency, immune response and scalability

Program structure

The short course includes online course modules, worksheets, assessments, and three days of in-person workshops run by our expert facilitators. There will be approximately 2 hours of online course content which participants will be required to complete before the first workshop.

Facilitators

Tayyaba Younas Lecturer Dr Tayyaba Younas brings her expertise in biotechnology and bioprocessing to the Centre as one of its academic leads. Dr Younas has worked on different projects in these fields throughout her career, contributing to both education and research aspects. Most recently, Dr Younas has collaborated on mRNA research, authoring two papers: “Engineer RNA-Protein nanowires as light-responsive biomaterials” (Small, 2023) and “Rapid production of multimeric RNA aptamers stabilized by a designed pseudo-circular structure in E. coli” (Biotechnology Journal, 2022).

Rachael Turner Lecturer Dr Rachael Turner is a biochemistry and molecular biologist that specialises in mRNA alternative polyadenylation and the role of 3' UTRs in translation. Dr Turner has extensive experience teaching biochemistry and biomedicine units within Monash University's Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences faculty and is an active researcher for the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.

Are there any prerequisites for this short course?

Yes - The prerequisites of this short course are some foundational knowledge of mRNA or background training in (but not exclusively) molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biology, pharmacology and/or pharmaceutical science. Additionally, to get the most out of the content and activities, participants should have English proficiency. All short course content is delivered in English.

What payment methods are accepted?

The platform supports multiple payment methods via Credit Card and Invoice. You have the option to pay individually or request an invoice to register multiple participants.

Will I receive a certificate or digital badge after the short course?

Upon completion of the short course you will be issued with a digital badge. Digital badges demonstrate your capabilities, enhancing your employability and professional profile in today's competitive job market.

Designed to be shared across social media platforms, online portfolios, and resumes, the digital badge will ensure that your achievements are recognised and respected worldwide. A prospective employer can click on your digital credential to view all the details of your achievement.

Is there technical support available if I have questions during the short course?

You can access technical support via the chat function. Click the chat icon in the bottom right corner of your screen to contact our team.

Will I have access to short course materials after completing the short course?

You will have access to short course content three weeks prior to the short course start date. You will have access to the short course content for an extra three months from the short course end date.

What is the refund policy if I can no longer complete the short course?

There are various options available to you if you can no longer complete the short course, including refunds and credits:

• You are eligible to receive 100 per cent refund of the program cost if cancelled at least 28 calendar days before the start date of the program;
• You are eligible to receive 50 per cent refund of the program cost if cancelled at least 14 days before the start date of the program;
• A refund of the program cost will not be offered if cancelled less than 14 days before the start date of the program.

A participant who chooses to cancel their registration for a program, can credit their registration fee to another cohort of the same program within two years of the original registration.

How will this short course benefit my career or professional development?

The mRNA industry is emerging with many potential job opportunities. As the different applications of mRNA medicines are explored, this creates demand for professionals equipped with the knowledge to design mRNA medicines.

The knowledge and skills gained in this short course will equip participants with the ability to perform research, development and formulation roles, increase their capability to develop new mRNA avenues, and design and optimise the mRNA medicines required to fulfill these ventures.

Are there any technical requirements that I need to be aware of?

Participants need to have access to the internet and a computer to complete the short course.

How is my personal information handled and protected?

Monash University values the privacy of every individual’s personal and health information and is committed to the protection of this information.

Personal and health information collected by Monash is handled in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic), the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and other privacy laws as applicable. Further information on this can be found here.

My organisation would like to have a dedicated run of the short course for a group of our staff only, is this possible?

Yes, please email us at mrnamedicines.workforcetraining@monash.edu to discuss.