Genetics

General

• Code: TΑBO-32-Γ2
• Semester: 3rd
• Study Level: Undergraduate
• Course type: Special Background
• Teaching and exams language: Greek
• Teaching Methods (Hours/Week): Tutorials (Theory) and practice works (3)
• ECTS Units: 4
• Course homepage: https://eclass.emt.ihu.gr/courses/FD324/
• Instructors: Lagiotis Georgios
• Class Schedule:
  • Thu 11:00 - 14:00:

Course Contents

Introduction to Genetics

• Genetics: The science of information inheritance, DNA: The fundamental molecule of ‘storage’ of information, Proteins: The functional molecules of life, RNA: A primordial messenger of information, Biological systems: The interaction of biomolecules over time, Replication of genes and evolution of new functions, Similarity of organisms at the molecular level, The genetic complexity of living organisms, Model organisms.

Mendelian analysis

• Mendel’s experimental approach, Monohybrid crosses reveal units of inheritance, Genes form the basis of trait inheritance, The law of allele separation, Punnett squares, Phenotype vs genotype, The law of independent combination.

Extensions of Mendelian genetics

• Identification of genes that control a phenotype, Multiple alleles, Modifications of dominance relations (Incomplete prevalence and Codominance), Gene interactions and modifications of classical Mendelian analogies, Essential genes and lethal alleles, Gene expression and environment.

The chromosomal basis of heredity

• Eukaryotic chromosomes, Mitosis, Miosis, X-linked heredity, Determination of gender.

Genetic Linkage and Gene Mapping

• Genetic linkage, Genetic recombination, Construction of genetic maps, Two- and three-point genetic mapping, Accurate calculation of mapping distances, Advanced mapping methods: Tetrad analysis.

Changes in the number and structure of chromosomes

• Chromosomal mutations, Polytene chromosomes, Chromosomal defects, Chromosomal duplication, Chromosomal inversion, Chromosomal translocation, Changes in chromosome number, Aneuploidy, Polyploidy.

Gene mutations

• Mutation types, Mutagenic factors, Mutagen determination techniques, Transposable elements.

Extranuclear inheritance

• Theory of endosymbiosis, Mitochondrial and chloroplastic DNA, Non-Mendelian inheritance, Exceptions to maternal inheritance, Maternal effect.

Genetics of bacteria and bacteriophages

• Genetic analysis in bacteria, Gene mapping through conjugation, Gene mapping through transformation, Gene mapping by transduction, Bacteriophage gene mapping.

Recombinant DNA technology

• Restriction enzymes, Cloning agents, Construction of genomic libraries, Southern genome analysis, DNA sequencing, Analysis of polymorphisms, DNA microarrays, Recombinant DNA technology applications.

Quantitative genetics

• Quantitative genetics, Discontinuous vs continuous characteristics, Inheritance of continuous characteristics, Statistical tools, Quantitative genetic analysis, Heritability, Genetic correlation, Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL).

Population genetics

• Population genetics, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, Factors changing allele frequencies, Mutation, Genetic drift, Population size, Bottleneck and founder effect, Migration, Natural selection.

Genomics

• Genomics, Polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, Genome sequencing, High-throughput sequencing, Organisation of genomes, Gene density variation in different genomes, Scanning gene expression with microarrays.

Educational Goals

In the context of the course of Genetics, students will become familiar with:

• the basic principles of heredity,
• calculations of frequency ratios of characteristics in crossover offspring,
• gene interaction,
• frequency calculations for structural changes of chromosomes,
• the effects of X-linked inheritance,
• changes in the structure and number of chromosomes,
• gene mutations,
• extranuclear inheritance,
• the genetics of viruses and bacteria,
• genomics,
• the principles of population and quantitative genetics, and
• molecular evolution.

General Skills

• Generation of new research ideas.
• Promotion of free, creative and inductive thinking.
• Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary technologies.

Teaching Methods

• In the classroom, face to face.

Use of ICT means

• Basic software (windows, word, power point, the web, etc.).
• Support of learning process through the electronic platform / e-class.

Teaching Organization

Students Evaluation

Written exam with:

• Short-answer questions.
• Multiple-choice questions.
• Solving exercises and problems.

Recommended Bibliography

1. iGenetics: A Mendelian approach, Peter J. Russell. ISBN: 9786185135195.
2. Γενετική, Hartwell Leland, Hood Leroy, Goldberg Michael, Reynolds Ann, Silver Lee. ISBN: 9786188064706.
3. Meneely, P.; Willmann, M.R. Advanced Genetic Analysis: Genes, Genomes, and Networks in Eukaryotes; Advanced Genetic Analysis: Genes, Genomes, and Networks in Eukaryotes; OUP Oxford, 2009; ISBN 9780199219827.