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, chemistry, biology, pharmacology and/or pharmaceutical science. This short course is best suited to those who are interested in pursuing research or industry roles that have involvement in the manufacture of mRNA.

What you will learn

• Review the therapeutic application of mRNA technology and evaluate the production phases, protocols, and steps involved in the mRNA manufacturing process
• Identify the role of quality assurance and control in mRNA manufacturing
• Understand and apply the techniques used to manufacture mRNA via in vitro transcription (IVT)
• Identify key contaminants in the IVT reactions and evaluate different techniques used to purify mRNA
• Understand and apply the techniques used to formulate mRNA into lipid nanoparticles
• Demonstrate an understanding of analytical requirements in the manufacturing of mRNA

Program structure

The short course includes online course modules, worksheets, assessments, and five days of in-person training in our state-of-the-art laboratory.  There will be approximately 3 hours of online course content that participants will be required to complete before the first workshop.

Testimonials

"The Monash mRNA Workforce Training Centre team delivered a training course that exceeded all my expectations. From my initial inquiries, I was thoroughly supported and provided with comprehensive details about the course. This assurance gave me the confidence to enroll, even though I don't come from a traditional background in biology, chemistry, or pharmaceutical sciences.

Throughout the course, I felt very warmly welcomed and treated with respect and care, ensuring I could absorb as much knowledge and skill as possible. Despite my limited prior experience, such as handling pipettes, I never felt patronized. The team, Tayyaba, Jessica, Rachael, Brian, Phil, and Jennifer are undoubtedly experts in their field. They conveyed their extensive knowledge of the science, processes, and technologies involved in an accessible and engaging manner.

I am also thankful and glad that my fellow cohorts were friendly, approachable, and eager to help bridge any gaps in my knowledge and experience. Kudos to the team for crafting such a well-thought-out training course and providing a highly valuable experience.

I will be recommending this course to friends and colleagues, as I strongly believe it benefits both the industry and society by upskilling more individuals. I'm extremely pleased with the experience and proud to have gained the knowledge and experience I sought. Last but not least, I believe I've made some wonderful new friends along the way. Thank you."

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, 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?

As mRNA manufacture is an emerging industry, there is a need for professionals with knowledge in this area. This short course works to directly meet this need by providing participants hands-on skills and experience in the processes involved in the manufacture of mRNA. At the completion of this short course, participants will gain the capabilities to confidently meet the needs of the mRNA industry.

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.

If you are interested in other offerings of this short course, please contact us via email at mrnamedicines.workforcetraining@monash.edu.

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.