Admission requirements
BSc degree
Contact
Coordinator: Dr. T.J. de Jong
Email: t.j.de.jong@biology.leidenuniv.nl
Description
How are we genetically different from Neanderthalers? How many genes do organisms have? What fraction of our genome consists of genes? Do prokaryotes shop for genes? Why do salamanders have much more DNA per cell than we have? How does the genome of related species differ? How is the DNA of different individuals different? How well can one make predictions on health and personalized medicine from your DNA? With the advance of genome sequencing all these questions about DNA and evolution can, in principle, be answered. Starting from the basics (introns, extrons, gene families, recombination, QTLs) we address these questions and ask what these new insights mean for ideas about health and evolution of species.
Learning goals:
Course objectives:
update knowledge on basic genetic mechanisms
overview of field of genomics
learn to extract DNA information from databanks
learn to apply DNA information for answering scientific questions
learn to evaluate differences between individuals or species using DNA info
read and evaluate scientific articles on DNA
Final qualifications:
Student is familiar with technical terms used in genomics
Student knows how genomes of major groups or organisms are organized
Student can use DNA information for answering questions about health and evolution.
Timetable
From 16 September to 11 October 2014. In general lecture during the morning, afternoon self study or practicals (bioinformatics). Week 3 constancy of the human genome and human evolution. Last day: evaluation, drinks and pub quiz.
Total number of contact hours
70 contact hours
Mode of instruction
Lectures, reading chapters from Fontdevila and Alberts, reading scientific articles, individual project (1 week), write short (1 A4) paper.
Assessment method
Three multiple choice tests. On Thursday of the last week hand in a short paper (1 A4) about an individual project.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for communication.
Reading list
Fontdevila A (2011) The dynamic genome. Oxford UP
Alberts B et al. (2008) Molecular biology of the cell. 5th ed. Garland Science.
Both facultative.
Registration
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for more information on how to apply.