00451 - Genetics

Learning outcomes

Main purpose of this course is to provide some basic knowledges of genetic methods and to explain necessary elements for understanding advanced genetic problems.

Course contents

DNA: the genetic material, the structure of DNA, DNA replication, mitosis and meiosis. Mendelian genetics, monohybrid crosses, crosses involving multiple loci, chi-squared test. Chromosomal basis of inheritance, sex determination and sex-linked characteristics, gene dosage compensation. Extensions of mendelian genetic analysis, multiple alleles, gene interaction, interaction of sex and heredity, interaction of genes and environment. Maternal effect. Pedigrees. Linked genes and recombination. Bacterial and viral genetics. Non-mendelian inheritance, mitochondria and chloroplasts. The genetic code. Gene mutations. Chromosomal mutations. Transposable elements. Recombinant DNA technology: DNA coning, restriction enzymes, agarose gel elecrophoresis, Southern blotting, restriction maps, construction of genomic libraries. Genetic analysis of development: the Drosophila model

Readings/Bibliography

Griffiths A.J.F. et al. GENETICA 7^ edz. – Edit. Zanichelli

Russell P. J.  “GENETICA Un approccio molecolare” - Edit. Pearson

Pierce B. A. “GENETICA” - Edit. Zanichelli

Teaching methods

Lectures. Practical work in the lab (one credit).

Assessment methods

The critical assessment of the student's preparation is carried out through a written and oral examinations. The written test aims at ascertaining the skills acquired in solving genetic problems relative to the program of the course; students are admitted to the oral exam upon passing the written exam. The oral exam is aimed to assess the knowledge of the content of the course. The final score takes into account both performances of the written and oral parts. 

Teaching tools

power-point

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Gargiulo