BIO 621: Special Topics in Biology – Advanced Genetic Analysis
Spring 2012
LECTURE:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 – 12:15 P.M.
205 T.H. Morgan Bldg.
INSTRUCTORS:
Dr. Doug Harrison, 301 T.H. Morgan Bldg.
Tel.: 257-6275
e-mail: dough@email.uky.edu
COURSE CONTENT: This is a graduate course in contemporary genetic analysis – the use of
mutagenesis, mutations and transgenic manipulations to understand biological processes.
Emphasis will be on experimental approaches using model eukaryotes, relying on scientific
literature and web resources. The intent of the course is not only to familiarize you with
current genetic techniques, but to provide you with experience in applying those techniques to
modern problems in biology.
PREREQUISITES: Consent of instructor. Prior coursework in genetics, cell biology and
biochemistry is strongly recommended.
OFFICE HOURS/CONSULTATION: This course will involve frequent required consultations
(for proposal and presentation preparations), as well as meetings for any other matters that
students wish to discuss. Rather than formal office hours, students should contact the
instructors for appointments.
TEXT/REFERENCE MATERIALS: There is no required textbook, but strongly recommended
is “Principles of Gene Manipulation and Genomics-7th ed.” by Primrose and Twyman. Scientific
papers and web resources will be extensively used. Reference lists and other materials will be
distributed by e-mail and/or posted on the web site; students are expected to read required
references in advance of the class meeting so that they may participate fully in the discussion
of course material.
Web site:
Harrison: http://web.as.uky.edu/Biology/faculty/harrison/bio621/
GRADES: The final grade will be assigned on the basis of the student's performance in:
First exam
25%
Second exam
25%
Paper presentation
20%
Research proposal
25%
Preparation & Participation
5%
------------Total
100%
The final grade scale will be : (100-90), B (89-80), C (79-70), E (<70).
EXAMS will be composed primarily of essay and short-answer questions derived from the
lecture and readings. The two exams will be weighted equally and the second exam will not be
cumulative.
PAPER PRESENTATION. Each student will be assigned a journal article and a date during
the semester on which to make a presentation to the class on that topic, including leading a
discussion of the work. These should be relatively brief presentations (~35-40 minutes).
Students must meet with the instructor to discuss the paper at least one week before the
presentation date. Students should have already read through the paper several times and
prepared a draft of their presentation before that meeting with the instructor.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL. Each student will develop a research proposal in which genetic
analysis is applied to a contemporary question in cell and molecular biology. Topics will be
selected by the student in consultation with the course instructor. Acceptable topics may
include, but are certainly not limited to, those from a current or prior rotation project, but may
not include topics that are the subject of the student’s dissertation. Preparation of the proposal
will take place throughout the semester with initial discussions with the instructor beginning
during the first three weeks of the course, submission of a written outline in mid-February,
submission of an initial draft of the proposal in late March, and submission of the final proposal
in late April (see annotations on the attached class schedule).
PREPARATION AND PARTICIPATION. Each student is expected to participate in classroom
discussions on a daily basis. Involvement in discussions will require that students come to class
prepared. In particular, students are expected to have read the assigned papers prior to each
class. To promote preparation, students are required to write a very brief summary of each
required paper and submit it to the instructor before each class. The grade for this assignment
will be determined both on submitted summaries and in-class involvement in discussions.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is mandatory. The instructor should be informed in
advance of a planned excused absence or consulted upon return of an unexpected absence.
Absences will be excused only under standard criteria stipulated in University regulation. Each
unexcused absence will reduce the course score by 5%.
BIO 621 Advanced Genetic Analysis
Tentative Schedule - Spring 2012
Date
1/12
1/17
1/19
1/24
1/26
1/31 **
2/2
2/7
2/9
2/14 **
2/16
2/21
2/23
2/28
3/1
3/6
3/8
Topic
Forward Genetics I: Mutagenesis and Screens I
Mutagenesis and Screens II
Paper A (Mutational screening)[ ]
Mosaic analysis of mutations
Paper B (Mosaic analysis) []
Genetic Interactions I
Genetic Interactions II
Paper C (Genetic Interactions)[ ]
Transgenesis
Reverse genetics I: Gene Misexpression I
Gene Misexpression II
Gene Misexpression III
Reverse genetics II: Gene Knock-outs I
Gene Knock-outs II
First Exam
Paper D (KO strategy)[ ]
Reverse genetics III: RNAi/morpholinos
3/20
3/22 **
3/27
3/29
4/3
4/5
4/10
4/12
4/17
4/19 **
4/24
4/26
5/3
RNAi/morpholinos II
Genomic Analysis I- Sequencing technologies
Genomic Analysis II- Transcriptome analysis I
- Transcriptome analysis II
Paper F (Microarray analysis) [ ]
Genomic Analysis III- protein interaction analysis
Paper J (Protein interaction analysis)
Genomic Analysis IV- proteomic analysis
Genomic Analysis V- genome-wide mutagenesis projects
Quantitative Genetics
Paper G (Quantitative genetics)[]
Quantitative Genetics II
Second Exam at 1:00PM
3/12-3/16
** Proposal
1/31
2/14
3/22
4/19
Spring Break- No class
deadlines:
Proposal topic must be approved by instructor
Outline due
Initial proposal draft due
Final proposal due