SBIB10170U Mammalian Genomics

Volume 2014/2015
Education
Bacheloruddannelsen i naturvidenskab og it
MSc Programme in Animal Science
MSc Programme in Animal-derived Foods (Food of Life)
Content


The course is an advanced course in theoretical and practical genomics with focus on mammals. The course will provide information that will allow the student to gain knowledge on methods and technologies currently used to dissect, describe and characterise complex genomes. Aspects of both research and application within the field of genomics will be addressed. The students will also learn innovative thinking.

* The theoretical part of the course will cover the following topics:

1) Genome projects, Model organisms & Comparative genomics
2) Organization and content of the mammalian genome
3) Human genetic variability
4) Genetic mapping of mendelian characters
5) Mapping genes conferring susceptibility to complex diseases
6) Gene expression
7) Stydying gene function in the Post-genome Era / Next generation sequencing
8) Molecular pathology/Cancer/Pharmacogenetics
9) Genetic testing
10) Genetic manipulation of cells and animals. Gene therapy
11) MicroRNAs

*A 3-days case-work based on innovation will be held during the course

* The practical part of the course will contain:

1) DNA sequence analysis and virtual-lab exercise (computer work)
2) DNA forensics /paternity testing (lecture/lab work)
3) RNA isolation /qPCR (lab work)

More information will be given at the beginning of the course.

Learning Outcome

After completion of the course the student is expected to have:

Knowledge:

- Describe the architecture and components of an average mammalian genome.
- Understand the possibilities of analyzing and characterizing mammalian genomes.
- Understand qualitative and quantitative genetics with focus on mammalian disease genetics.
- Describe the technologies and methods involved in genome projects and the objectives of the different genome projects.
- Understand how comparative genomics can be used in the characterization and annotation of genomes by transfering genomic information from one species to another.
- Understand the regulation of gene expression at different levels and how to study it.
- Understand how mutations can cause inherited defects and predisposition to disease such as cancer and the possibilities and relevance of genetic testing.
- Understand innovation.

Skills:

- Use of basic and advanced methods in molecular genetics.
- Perform DNA sequence analysis, simple sequence assembly and annotation and detect sequence variation by using the UCSC browser.
- Perform PCR.
- Perform quantitative PCR and analyse expression profiles of genes in different tissues.
- Use mind map tool.
- Pitch a project.
- Think innovatively.

Competences:

- Evaluation of strategies to dissect the genetics underlying inherited traits in mammals.
- Evaluate the practical use of genetic testing.
- Think more innovative in relation to Biology-Biotechnology.

Human Molecular Genetics. 4th Edition. Tom Strachan, Andrew P. Read. 2011. 781 pages.
Other teaching material (available at Absalon)

Basic Genetics
Basic Cell Biology
Basic Molecular Biology
SBIF10184U Molekylær genetik
Lectures, case work, theoretical and practical exercices, group presentations (pitch) and group discussions, computer exercises and virtual lab-case.
Crash-bioinformatic session together with Plant Genomics.
Use of clickers in different lectures.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Lectures
  • 30
  • Practical exercises
  • 30
  • Preparation
  • 80,5
  • Project work
  • 50
  • Theory exercises
  • 15
  • Total
  • 206,0
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 20 minutes
The 20 min. oral examination, is based on the practical laboratory work or in the innovation case-work and on the textbook.

The oral exam is divided in two parts:
1) 5 min. on a subject related to the lab-practicals or on the innovation case-work.
2) 15 min. on a text book related subject.

Both subjects are drawn during the examination, and there is no time for preparation.
The student should show adequate knowledge and understanding of both practical or innovation work and text book related subjects in order to pass the exam.

Weight: Oral examination 100 %.
Exam registration requirements
An approved written report is prerequisite for access to oral examination.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed

The students can bring their own notes.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
January 8th 2015: Please note that the exam will be held without the use of external censors. The previous description was not correct.
Criteria for exam assesment

 

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the shall be able to:

Knowledge:

- Describe the architecture and components of an average mammalian genome.
- Understand the possibilities of analysing and characterizing mammalian genomes, and to understand qualitative and quantitative genetics with focus on mammalian disease genetics.
- Describe the technologies and methods involved in genome projects and the objectives of the different genome projects.
- Understand how comparative genomics can be used in the characterisation of genomes by transfering genomic information from one species to another.
- Understand the regulation of gene expression on different levels and which techniques to apply to study it.
- Understand how mutations can cause inherited defects and predisposition to disease such as cancer and the possibilities and relevance of genetic testing.
Skills:

- Knowledge on how to perfom basic and advanced methods in molecular genetics.
- Knowledge on how to perfom DNA sequence analysis, simple sequence assembly and annotation and detect sequence variation by using the UCSC browser.
- Knowledge on how to perfom PCR.
- Knowledge on how to perfom quantitative PCR and analyse expression profiles of genes in different tissues.

Competences:

- Evaluation of strategies to dissect the genetics underlying inherited traits in mammals.
- Evaluate the practical use of genetic testing.

 

 

 

In order to complete the course with the grade 12, the student should give an excellent performance during the exam displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the drawn practical/innovation case and theoretical subjects. The student should show a exhaustive comprehension of all the matters/principles asked during the exam with no or only few minor mistakes/weaknesses, and he/she should be able to integrate knowledge from different subjects and areas when relevant.