Current developments and advances in Eukaryotic Genetics

Description

Genetics underpins all aspects of biology and recent developments in genomics together with novel analytical approaches are providing new insights into the molecular basis and evolution of genetic variation. This module will examine genetic variation from the chromosomeal level through to populations focusing on humans and relevant examples from model organisms. The module will study the dynamics of chromosome organisation during mitosis and meiosis; how chromosome variation is related to ageing, cancer and genome instability and chromosome evolution. The genetic control of qualitative and complex quantitative traits such as intelligence, body weight and hypertension will be considered together with the methodologies that have been developed to identify the genes involved. Students will be given tutorials and workshops to help you with this part of the module.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of genetic variation;
• Understand the theoretical framework underpinning the analysis of genetic variation;
• Understand the implications of genetic variation in regard to genetic disease; the identification of quantitative traits and genome evolution
• Describe the experimental approaches that are used to investigate genetic variation at all levels ranging from chromosomes to populations;
• Analyse and interpret data produced by these experiments

Assessment

Coursework
Exam