GENETICS

Paper Code: 
24MBL125
Credits: 
02
Contact Hours: 
30
Objective: 

Course Objectives: The objectives of this course are to take students through basics of genetics and classical genetics covering prokaryotic/ phage genetics to yeast and higher eukaryotic domains. On covering all classical concepts of Mendelian genetics across these life-forms, students will be exposed to concepts of population genetics, quantitative genetics encompassing complex traits, clinical genetics and genetics of evolution.

 

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

 Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

24MBL 125

Genetics

(Theory)

CO25: Assess the concept of gene in pre-DNA era; analyse the gene structure and mapping methods in bacteria and bacteriophages using genetic crosses.

CO26: Appraise the use of yeast as a model to study genetics of lower eukaryotes.

CO27: Appraise the use of Drosophila as a model to study genetics of higher eukaryotes.

CO28: Understand population genetics through Hardy Weinberg equilibrium and evaluate the processes that cause changes in the kind and amount of genetic variation in populations.

CO29: Understand quantitative genetics of complex traits and plant genetics and solve problems based on them.

CO30: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures,

Demonstrations,

 

Learning activities for the students: Discussion,

Tutorials,

Assignments

Reading journals

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

10.00
Unit I: 
Genetics of bacteria and bacteriophages

Concept of a gene in pre-DNA era; mapping of genes in bacterial and phage chromosomes by classical genetic crosses; fine structure analysis of a gene; genetic complementation and other genetic crosses using phenotypic markers; phenotype to genotype connectivity prior to DNA-based understanding of gene.

 

8.00
Unit II: 
Yeast genetics

Meiotic crosses, tetrad analyses, non-Mendelian and Mendelian ratios, gene conversion, models of genetic recombination, yeast mating type switch; dominant and recessive genes/mutations, suppressor or modifier screens, complementation groups, transposon mutagenesis, synthetic lethality, genetic epistasis.

 

4.00
Unit III: 
Drosophila genetics as a model of higher eukaryotes

Monohybrid & dihybrid crosses, back-crosses, test-crosses, analyses of autosomal and sex linkages, screening of mutations based on phenotypes and mapping the same, hypomorphy, genetic mosaics, genetic epistasis in context of developmental mechanism.

 

4.00
Unit IV: 
Population genetics and genetics of evolution

Introduction to the elements of population genetics: genetic variation, genetic drift, neutral evolution; mutation selection, balancing selection, Fishers theorem, Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium, linkage disequilibrium; in-breeding depression & mating systems; population bottlenecks, migrations, Bayesian statistics; adaptive landscape, spatial variation & genetic fitness.

 

4.00
Unit V: 
Quantitative genetics of complex traits (QTLs) and Plant genetics

Complex traits, mapping QTLs, yeast genomics to understand biology of QTLs.Laws of segregation in plant crosses, inbreeding, selfing, heterosis, maintenance of genetic purity, gene pyramiding.

 

 

ESSENTIAL READINGS: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS:

  • Genetics, conceptual approach, Benjamin A Pierce, 7th edition, W. H. Freeman and Company, 2019
  • Introduction to genetic analysis, Griffiths, A., Wessler, S., Lewontin, R., Carroll, S.  9th edition, W. H. Freeman and Company, 2007.
  • Principles of genetics, D Peter Snustad; Michael J Simmons, 7th edition, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2017
  • Microbial Genetics, Stanly R Maloy, John E Cronan Jr. and David Freifelder. 2nd edition, Narosa publishing house, New Delhi. 2006.
  • iGenetics- A Molecular Approach, Russell PJ., 3rd edition, Benjamin Cummings. 2009.
  • Principles of Genetics Tamarin, R. H., & Leavitt, R. W. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown (1991).
  • Evolutionary Genetics. Smith, J. M. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998

SUGGESTED READINGS:

  • Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Larry Snyder, Joseph E. Peters, Tina M. Henkin, Wendy Champness, 4th edition, American Society for Microbiology, Washington. 2013.
  • Principles of Genetics, (7th edition), D P Snustad and M J Simmons, John Wiley & Sons Inc., USA., 2015
  • Genetics, (3rd edition), M V Strickberger, New Delhi: PHI Learning, 2012
  • Principles of Genetics, (12th edition), E J Gardener, M J Simmons and D P Snustead, John Wiley and Sons Publications, 2012
  • Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications, (10th edition), R Lewis, WCB McGraw Hill, USA, 2011.
  • Current perspectives in Genetics. Insight and applications in Molecular, Classical and Human Genetics, S Cummings, Brooks/ Cole, 2000
  • Genetics: Principles and Analysis, (4th edition), D L Hartl and E W Jones, Jones and Barlett Publishers, Massachusetts, USA, 1998.        

   e RESOURCES:

   JOURNALS:

  • Journal of Genetics
  • Frontiers in Genetics
  • Environmental and molecular mutagenesis
  • Nature Genetics
  • Genetics Research

 

 

Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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