Advanced Molecular Genetics BIO 3311 Fall 1999 MW 3pm-4:30pm

Louise A. Paquin, Ph.D Office: Bio/Chem 200 857-2402 Email: lpaquin@mcdaniel.edu

The Advance Genetics Program has been designed to give students a closer look at one particular area of biological science and its application. The offerings include the Molecular Biology Lab course and the Advance Seminar course, which, in alternate years, will have either Human Genetics or Molecular Genetics as its focus.

The Molecular Genetics Course has the following general goals:

1. to further elucidate the principles, concepts and approaches to genetics as a science;
2. to become familiar with techniques and tools of analysis used by molecular geneticists in research and applied genetic;
3. to examine a number of genetic problems particular to molecular genetics, e.g. hybridization, gene mapping, transposable elements, the societal implications of current research;
4. to become familiar with the scientific literature on the subject;
5. to become competent in researching information on a genetic problem or situation given available materials.

 

 

Advanced Molecular Genetics

Bio 3311

Requirements:

1. The class periods will consist of a combination of lectures and student presentations. It is expected the outside reading and writing are to be extensive and the consultation with the professor will be frequent.

Attendance is considered important. Taping arrangements may be made if you have to absent. It is expected the both the lecture topic and the topic for discussion will be prepared in advance. I would like each student's email address in case I need to communicate with you. Everyone will need access to the Internet for literature search as well as for access to molecular genetics data.

2. Each student will be requited to write a research paper. The topic must be approved no later than 9/23; an outline and partial biography must be submitted before Fall Break. The final paper (2 copies) is due 12/4. All papers must be typed (computer printed). Paper will be valued at 200 pts.

3. The test (or take-home equivalent) will consist of problems, short answer questions, and essays. Each test will be valued at 100-200 points. Part of Test I and all of Test II will be taken outside of the usual classroom setting and students are allowed to use books, notes, and library materials but no information from each other or from other scientists.

At the time scheduled for the final exam and (given the size of the class) the preceding class period, students will present oral reports on their research topics. These presentations will be valued at 100 points.

4. Students are required to build a file of research articles aside from those used in preparing their paper and those generally assigned. The first paper to be used will be provided by the instructor and its annotation graded during the second week of the course. At least one paper per week should be added, annotated briefly, and used to contribute to class discussion. The papers may pursue the same theme or be mixed; some may relate to symposia. At the end of the semester, articles and annotations will be graded by letter (100 pts). The annotations should consist of a single page or large (5x8) index card with reference and notes. This is not a summary of the article but noted on that which you find useful or interesting, either concept or technique, and for which you might wish to refer to the article again. One to three terms should be listed in the upper right corner; these are headings under which you might wish to file such information. I expect that some papers from each student will reflect research with organisms such as plants, protists, fungi, and invertebrates as well as those most usually discussed.

5. Each student will, on two dates during the semester, formally present material to the class. This will consist of presentation of a research article on some facet of the subject presented in a preceding lecture. The article will be decided on in conjunction with the professor at least 2 days in advance. The article itself should be placed on library reserve, and a copy given to the professor; the presentation articles should be from different journals for the two presentations; as much as possible on should be from a journal primarily dedicated to genetics. A single sheet (xeroxed) should be given to each of the other members of the class. It should include the bibliographic reference for the article and for one other related article, significant figures or data to be used in the presentation, and a brief outline of major ideas.

One of the two presentations should focus especially on the techniques and methods used by the experimenters; the student will designate which is to be considered for this requirement. While the presentation is to be primarily about the one article, the student is expected to have to consult additional material.

100 points per presentation

All material presented must include correct bibliographic information (see CBE Style Manual). Any material submitted later than the assigned date will receive a lower grade than that earned.

6. Some classes are designated as symposia. For these classes, each member of the class will be expected to participate by explaining a facet of the material. This will require advance preparation.

7. (OPTIONAL) I would propose that some students try to present some topic in molecular genetics to a non-science audience...arrangements will be made for those interested.

 

 

Bio 3311

Advanced Molecular Genetics

Fall 1999

8/30	Introduction, Review, Pretest	Ch 1-4
9/1	Packaging and Topology	Ch5, 26, 27
9/8	Technology Symposium (Genomics)	Ch 6, 20
9/13	Replication	Ch 14, 15
9/15	Translation (Overview)	Ch 7, 8
9/20	Ribosomes and tRNA	Ch 8, 9
9/22*	Translation: Products	Ch10
9/27	Prokaryotic genes	Ch 11
9/29	Transcription control in bacteria	Ch 12
10/4	Test 1
10/6	Control in viruses: Symposium	Ch 13
10/13*	Restriction and repair	Ch 16
10/18	Symposium: knockout mice and other animal models
10/20	Recombination	Ch 17
10/25	Transpostion	Ch 18
10/27	TBA
11/1	Eukaryotic Genomes	Ch 21-24
11/3	Gene regulation: Initiation	Ch 28
11/8	Gene regulation continued	Ch 29
11/10	Splicing	Ch 30, 31
11/15	Gene rearrangement Symposium	Ch 32-33
11/17	Protein trafficking	Ch 34, 33
11/22	Test 2
11/29	Oncongenes, apoptosis, and cell cycle	Ch 36, 37
12/1	Symposium: Gene therapy and cancer
12/6	Development	Ch 38
12/8	Some final presentations

For the "Symposia" scheduled, all students will be expected to participate in the presentation of portions of the material.