PLBRG 6060 - Advanced Plant Genetics

Spring. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: BIOMG 2800 or equivalent and permission of instructor.

W. Pawlowski.

Advanced survey of genetics in higher plants including selected topics in transmission genetics, epigenetics, and chromosome biology. Emphasizes development of critical analytical skills through reading of current literature and a class project.

Outcome 1: Familiarity with the main experimental approaches used in transmission genetics studies, including genetic mapping, designing and analyzing mutant screens, and using genetic linkage to clone genes.

Outcome 2: Understanding how chromosome and chromatin structures affect their functions.

Outcome 3: Familiarity with the mechanisms and consequences of genetic recombination.

Outcome 4: Familiarity with main concepts of epigenetics.

Outcome 5: Understanding how plant genomes are shaped by polyploidization, selection, and transposons.

Outcome 6: Understanding how genetic approaches can be used to study biochemical and developmental pathways in plants.

Outcome 7: Appreciation how knowledge of genetic mechanisms evolves in the face of new evidence.

Outcome 8: Familiarity with contemporary literature in the areas of plant genetics covered in the class.

Outcome 9: Ability to formulate genetic hypotheses.

Outcome 10: Ability to critically read and discuss articles describing studies in plant genetics. As well as the ability to design a research project utilizing genetics approaches to solve biological questions through: a. Writing a research proposal; b. Peer-reviewing proposals; and c. Discussing proposals at a proposal panel meeting.