Genetics is the study of biologically inherited traits. Thus, genetics is related to all living organisms and more or less to all life science fields. In addition, modern genetic technologies not only have a strong impact on basic research, but on applied research as well, such as medicine and agriculture. This course introduces the key concepts of genetics and modern genetic technologies. In parallel to the lectures, students will see or experience CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing using cultured human cells. Lecturers from outside of OIST may also be invited. The major goal of this course is to learn the key concepts of genetics and modern genetic technologies in order to utilize them and deal with their associated problems.
1. Mendel’s principles of heredity and extensions to Mendel’s laws
2. The chromosome theory of inheritance
3. Linkage, recombination, and the mapping of genes on chromosomes
4. DNA structure, replication, and recombination
5. Anatomy and function of a gene: Dissection through mutation
6. Gene expression and analysis of genetic information
7. Chromosomal rearrangements and changes in chromosome number
8. Bacterial genetics and organellar inheritance
9. Gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
10. Manipulating the genomes of eukaryotes
11. The genetic analysis of development and cancer
12. Variation and selection in populations
13. The genetics of complex traits
14. Discussion: Future improvements and ethical issues of genetic technologies
15. Exercise: Genome editing of cultured human cells
This course no prerequisite courses.
Suggested to take this course alongside/after B27 Molecular Biology of the Cell