RNA
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a molecule similar to DNA. Unlike DNA, RNA is single-stranded. An RNA strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (ribose) and phosphate groups. Attached to each sugar is one of four bases--adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), or guanine (G). Different types of RNA exist in the cell: messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA). More recently, some small RNAs have been found to be involved in regulating gene expression.

Materials for RNA
Animation
RNA Folding
Description: An animation of how RNA forms protein-like structures
- Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- |
- URL: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/rna-folding
RNA Interface
Description: An animation of RNA
- Source: Nature Publishing
- |
- URL: http://www.nature.com/focus/rnai/animations/animation/animation.htm
Articles/Research
Remarkable RNAs
Description: An article reviewing the different types of RNA
- Source: National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- |
- URL: http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/insidelifescience/remarkable-rnas.html
RNA Functions
Description: An article on the different types of RNA and the function of each type
- Source: Nature Education
- |
- URL: http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/rna-functions-352
The New Genetics - RNA and DNA Revealed
Description: Information from a science education booklet explaining microRNAs, RNAi, epigenetics, telomeres, mtDNA, and recombinant DNA
- Source: National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- |
- URL: http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/thenewgenetics/chapter2.html
Games
EteRNA
Description: A video game that challenges players to design new ways to fold RNA molecules
- Source: Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford University
- |
- URL: http://eterna.cmu.edu/eterna_page.php?page=me_tab
Interactive Tutorials
Click and Learn App
Description: Interactively explore topics in biology with the Click and Learn app. Each module features supporting videos and animations (Internet connection required). Learn about topics in evolution, neurobiology, infectious diseases, bioinformatics, stem cells, RNA, obesity, cancer, and genomics.
- Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- |
- URL: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/click-and-learn-app
DNA Sequence Editor Web App
Description: DNA Sequence Editor is a free web tool to analyze and edit your DNA sequence. Enter your DNA sequence and you can get the reverse, complementary or transcription sequence of your DNA. It can also translate your DNA sequence into possible amino acid sequences. It also help you to predict the DNA enzyme digestion result. Just select an enzyme from the list and you can get the size and sequence of each restricted DNA fragment. It is a useful web tool for molecular biology students and professionals. It is a great help for your molecular cloning work.
- Source: Biocourseware
- |
- URL: http://www.biocourseware.com/iphone/dnaseqeditor/index.htm
RNA is an Intermediary Between DNA and Protein
Description: An interactive Web site exploring basic concepts of RNA through historical discovery
- Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- |
- URL: http://www.dnaftb.org/21/
RNA was the First Genetic Molecule
Description: An interactive Web site exploring basic concepts of RNA through historical discovery
- Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- |
- URL: http://www.dnaftb.org/26/
Some Viruses Store Genetic Information in RNA
Description: An interactive Web site exploring basic concepts of RNA through historical discovery
- Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- |
- URL: http://www.dnaftb.org/25/
Video
RNAi
Description: A video on RNA interference (RNAi)
- Source: WGBH Educational Foundation
- |
- URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/rnai.html
The RNA Origin of Life
Description: Go on a tour of RNA's evolving role through billions of years of evolutionary history.
- Source: PBS
- |
- URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/rna-origin-life.html