Course Description
Six model organisms are studied in-depth to understand how their special genetic properties have been used to solve problems in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to write a term paper on an assigned topic in Molecular Genetics.
Athena Title
Advanced Genetics
Prerequisite
GENE 3200-3200D or GENE 3200H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
After completion of the course, students should be well grounded in the basics of molecular genetics with skills to continue learning and understanding new advances in this rapidly moving and evolving field. Specific objectives and learning outcomes are: 1. To study six model genetic organisms (E. coli & its viruses, S. cerevisiae, C. elegans, D. melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, and M. musculus or bugs, yeast, worms, flies, plants, and mice) in depth to understand how their special properties have been exploited to solve problems in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. You will learn advanced genetic methods of each model system and develop critical thinking tools in analyzing complex problems. 2. To deepen your knowledge of current topics in biology where genetic approaches are taken. These include protein localization and targeting, the cell cycle, genome organization and evolution, and development. 3. To develop your ability to read, understand, and critically evaluate published scientific papers on which our understanding of biology is based. You will be expected to understand what question(s)/hypothesis(es) were posed, what experiments were done to test the hypotheses, how the experiments were done, what the results were, and how the results led to the conclusions that were drawn. To achieve this we will read and discuss in depth one or more critical papers from the literature once a week.
Topical Outline
Model organisms: their genomes & genetics E. coli & its viruses: genomes, genetics, DNA replication, gene regulation, and T4 frameshift mutations and the genetic code Yeast genetics and genome, protein targeting, signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, post-transcriptional regulation, gene expression profiling in yeast C. elegans: genome & genetics, cell lineage & developmental fate, continuity of the germplasm Mouse genome & genetics, transgenesis, HOX genes and gene targeting, and the humanized mouse Arabidopsis genetics & genome, insertional mutagenesis, flower development & iRNA gene families, regulation, and ectopic expression D. melanogaster genome, genetics, and developmental genetics Genomics: C-value paradox vs expressed genes, and comparative genomics The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.
Syllabus