BSCI 415
Laboratory in Molecular Genetics
Fall 2010
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. David Straney
Office: Room 2222 H. J. Patterson Hall
Phone: (301) 405-1622 email: Straney@umd.edu
TA: Dr. Sandra Jacobsen email: sjaco005@umaryland.edu
OVERVIEW
Genetics offers a means of studying how organisms function, ranging from molecular interactions within cells to their ecological interactions in the environment. With molecular genetics, components can be defined, characterized and manipulated to suit experimental conditions or for the alteration of the organism for human uses. Molecular genetics uses much the same sort of analysis as classical genetics (mutants, segregation, phenotypes) but extends the tools and the ability to define components to the molecular level.
Molecular genetics can be used for any organism. Model organisms are ones that possess characteristics that allow rapid analysis and where use of one species provides the sharing of tools and maps. However, focus upon only one simple model organism provides only a glimpse of the mechanisms that drive the diversity and evolution in biology. We will use three genetic systems in this course- human, a nematode (Caenorhabitis elegans), and a plant (Arabidopsis thaliana). The latter two are good genetic models for manipulating components due to their small sizes, fast generation times, and small genomes. The also offer access to cutting-edge tools in molecular manipulation and genomics databases in the research community.
COURSE GOALS
- Provide practical experience with different approaches in forward and reverse genetics to link DNA sequence with function. Students will become familiar with phenotype and genetic polymorphisms as both a starting points and goals.
- Familiarize students with eukaryotic model genetic systems
in terms of modes of physical, genetic and molecular manipulation along with
practical use of their respective genomic databases.
- Introduce students to human genetics based upon existing polymorphisms.
Students will become familiar with different approaches to analyzing SNPs and CNV.
LAB PROJECTS: (more complete summaries here)
The aim of the course is to introduce the approaches molecular genetics uses to answer biology-based questions, rather than providing an exercise in techniques. The syllabus is organized around four projects that represent different approaches towards defining genes and understanding their function. These are:
i) Phenotypic screen for developmental and response mutants in the nematode C. elegans and plant Arabidopsis thaliana and genetic characterization of the mutants.
ii) PCR-based cloning of a human gene and analysis of polymorphisms with respect to function and phenotype (pharmacogenomics).
iii) Plant transformation with reporter gene and overexpression constructs to determine the function of cloned genes
iv) Genomic mapping of a phenotypic mutant using molecular markers to determine the chromosomal location of a mutation
Schedule and Web Links By Project:
Project 1: Mutagenesis road map for analyzing mutants
Project 3: Plant Transformation
Miniprojects
(no report): Reverse
Genetics- Gene Knockouts in Arabidopsis
Additional
human polymorphisms- methods for detection
Data- see the Blackboard site for data files