00451 - Genetics (M-Z)

Learning outcomes

The main purpose of this course is to provide a basic knowledge of the structure and function of genetic material.

Course contents

Introduction to genetics. DNA as genetic material
Replication of DNA, structure and function of chromosomes
Mendelian genetics: monohybrid crosses and first Mendel's law; genes and alleles; crosses involving multiple loci and independent segregation law; methods to calculate the genotypic and phenotypic ratios; statistical analysis, chi-square test
Mitosis and meiosis
Gene function: Garrod's hypothesis on inborn errors of metabolism; Beadle and Tatum's experiments on Neurospora crassa and one gene- one enzyme hypothesis; genetic control of protein structure
Chromosomal basis of inheritance; sex linked inheritance; dosage compensation.
Mendelian inheritance in human: pedigree analysis. Classic mendelian inheritance models.
Extensions of mendelian genetic analysis. Multiple alleles, lethal genes, gene interactions, penetrance and expressivity, environmental interactions.
Linkage, and recombination. Morgan's experiments in Drosophila, crossing over,  genetic maps; three point crosses, map functions; interference. tetrad analysis in Neurospora crassa.
Genetic analysis in bacteria and viruses. Conjugation in E. coli, F factor, transformation, transduction, genetics analysis of the rII locus in T4 phage.
The flow of genetic information. Transcription, translation, and protein synthesis; structure of genes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
The genetic code.
Mutations and genetic variability.
Transposable elements
Elements of population genetics.
Recombinant DNA technology: DNA cloning, restriction enzymes, agarose gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting, restriction maps, construction of genomic libraries, DNA sequencing.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching methods

Assessment methods

Teaching tools

Office hours

See the website of Elena Maestrini