BIO 301: GENETICS

Spring, 2007

Classes: MWF 8:30-9:20, CHM 2068
Labs: M or W 1:30 - 4:30, Dana 256

Dr. David Wessner
Watson 218
x2846

Office Hours
MW 10:00 - 11:30
T 2:00 - 4:00

 

Required Reading Material

Griffiths et al. Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 8th ed. (2005) W.H. Freeman

 

Course Objectives

We live in the Age of Genetics. Since the elucidation of the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in 1953, advances in genetics have occurred with amazing rapidity. Today, our lives are impacted on a daily basis by these advances. From genetically modified foods to the anti-retroviral drug AZT, products whose development depended on advances in molecular genetics abound in the marketplace. Current experiments in gene therapy eventually may lead to cures for many inherited diseases. The cloning of animals may result in the increased availability of organs suitable for human organ transplants. The deciphering of the human genome may lead to an increased understanding of cancer. Of course, these advances are not without controversy. Human stem cell research, the possible cloning of humans, and the development of genetically modified plants and animals all have generated heated public debate. Increasingly, to understand these debates, the general public needs to be "genetics literate."

During the course of the semester, we will explore various aspects of this exciting field, focusing on classical Mendelian inheritance, the biochemistry of nucleic acids, and techniques in molecular genetics. We also will emphasize experimental design and the analysis of data. Finally, we regularly will discuss "genetics in the news." As stated above, advances in genetics are occurring on a daily basis; we will try to stay abreast of these rapid developments.

Grades, as outlined below, will be based on two reviews, one short paper and presentation, a group laboratory project, class participation, and a final exam. I do not take attendance in lecture. Attendance during scheduled lab sessions, however, is mandatory. Every unexcused missed laboratory session will result in an automatic 1 letter grade deduction on your final grade.

 

Grades

Review #1

19%

Review #2

19%

Genetics-in-the-News Paper

10%

Genetics-in-the-News Presentation

5%

HIV poster
19%

Final Exam

23%

Class Participation

5%

 

 

Grading Scale

A 100-96

A- 95-90

B+ 89-87

B 86-84

B- 83-80

C+ 79-77

C 76-74

C- 73-70

D+ 69-67

D 66-61

F £ 60

 

 

LECTURE SCHEDULE

DATE
TOPIC
READINGS

Jan

17

W

Introduction

Chpt. 1

 

19

F

Patterns of Inheritance

Chpt. 2

 

22

M

 

 

24

W

Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

Chpt. 3
 

26

F

 

29

M

Eukaryotic Chromosome Recombination

Chpt. 4

 

31

W

Feb

2

F

 

5

M

No Class

 

7

W

No Class

 

9

F

No Class

 

12

M

Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses

Chpt. 5

 

14

W

 

16

F

 

19

M

From Gene to Phenotype

Chpt. 6
 

21

W

 

23

F

DNA: Structure and Replication

Chpt. 7

 

26

M

28

W

Review 1 handed out (due 3/2/07)

Mar

2

F

 
 

5

M

Spring Break!

 
 

7

W

Spring Break!

 
 

9

F

Spring Break!

 

12

M

RNA: Transcription and Processing

Chpt. 8

 

14

W

 
 

16

F

 

19

M

Proteins and their Synthesis

Chpt. 9

 

21

W

 

23

F
   
 

26

M

Regulation of Gene Transcription
Genetics-in-the-News paper due

Chpt. 10

 

28

W

 

30

F

 
Apr

2

M

Gene Isolation and Manipulation

Chpt. 11

 

4

W

 
 

6

F

 

9

M

No Class

 

11

W

Genomics

Chpt. 12

 

13

F

 

16

M

Transposable Elements

Chpt. 13

 

18

W

Review 2 handed out (due 4/20/07)

 

20

F

Mutation, Repair, and Recombination

Chpt. 14

 

23

M

 
 

25

W

27

F

Large Scale Chromosomal Changes

Chpt. 15

 
30
M
   
May

2

W

 

 

LABORATORY SCHEDULE

DATE
TOPIC

Jan 15

No Lab

Jan 22

Introduction to lab; Karyotyping mammalian cells

Jan 29

Electrophoresis trial

Feb 5

No Lab

Feb 12

pGLO transformation

Feb 19

pGLO plasmid isolation
pGLO RE digestion and electrophoresis

Feb 26

Purification of GFP

Mar 5

No Lab

Mar 12

GFP electrophoresis
Tetracycline resistance gene PCR

Mar 19

TETr ligation and transformation

Mar 26

Genetics-in-the-News presentations

Apr 2

HIV project introduction

Apr 9

No Lab

Apr 16

Journal club; Group research descriptions

Apr 23

Group meetings

Apr 30

HIV poster session

Lab handouts will be posted on the Web throughout the course of the semester. Please read the appropriate handouts before the lab period. Many of the protocols will require you to be in the laboratory outside of the normally scheduled sessions.