A hands-on introduction to the key concepts of genetics and advances in modern genetic technologies. Learn about fundamental principles of genetics underpinning biologically inherited traits, from classical population genetics to modern molecular genetics. Investigate modern genetic technologies for sampling, analysing, and editing genes and experience gene manipulation in the laboratory using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in cultured cells. Discuss the various advantages, drawbacks, and ethics of particular gene-editing technologies.
Students who complete this course will understand the key concepts of genetics and the advantages of modern genetic technologies. In addition, through the exercise of genome editing using cultured human cells, students can realize the power, simplicity of use, and potential risks of genome editing technologies.
- Mendel’s principles of heredity and extensions to Mendel’s laws
- The chromosome theory of inheritance
- Linkage, recombination, and the mapping of genes on chromosomes
- DNA structure, replication, and recombination
- Anatomy and function of a gene: Dissection through mutation
- Gene expression and analysis of genetic information
- Chromosomal rearrangements and changes in chromosome number
- Bacterial genetics and organellar inheritance
- Gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
- Manipulating the genomes of eukaryotes
- The genetic analysis of development and cancer
- Variation and selection in populations
- The genetics of complex traits
- Discussion: Future improvements and ethical issues of genetic technologies
- Exercise: Genome editing of cultured human cells
- Genetics, From Genes to Genomes, Sixth edition, by Hartwell et al (2018), McGraHill Education
- Essential Genetics and Genomics, Seventh edition, by Daniel L. Hartl (2020), Jones & Bartlett learning.