MCBS 895 (04) - Special Topics

Special Topics

Durham   Life Sciences & Agriculture :: Molecular,Cellular,Biomedical
Can be taken by students who are remote.
Credits: 1.0 to 4.0
Term: Spring 2021 - Full Term (02/01/2021 - 05/11/2021)
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
Class Size:   5  
CRN: 57293
Special topics course.
Department Approval Required. Contact Academic Department for permission then register through Webcat.
Instructors: STAFF

Times & Locations

Start Date End Date Days Time Location
2/1/2021 5/11/2021 Hours Arranged TBA
Additional Course Details: 

Course Description.  The course Applied Plant Genetics is intended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students who are contemplating a career involving genetic analysis and/or manipulation of plants for purposes of research or breeding. We will explore a range of topics relevant to identifying the connections between genotype and phenotype (i.e., the techniques of forward and reverse genetic analysis), and to obtaining desired genotypes, with an emphasis on integrating transmission and molecular genetics concepts and methods within the context of the plant life cycle .

The course format will be a combination of lecture, discussion, and problem solving. Grades will be based on in-class and take-home work assignments, student projects, and participation. The course can be taken for 2, 3, or 4 credits, as best matches the needs, interests, and time commitments of each student. Several options will be available and will be described at the first class meeting.

 

Topics will include most of the following:

Genetics and plant reproduction: life cycles, mating systems, self-incompatibility, male/female sterility, apomixis, somatic/vegetative propagation.

Generation and uses of crosses, hybrids, progeny populations.

Mutation: spontaneous and induced, mutagens (chemical, physical, insertional), mutant screens, mutant phenotypes, mosaics, chimeras, genetically effective cell number.

Gene terminology and transmission patterns: normal and altered ratios, segregation distortion, effects of polyploidy, aneuploidy, chromosome rearrangement.

Chromosome and ploidy manipulations, generation and uses of haploids.

Recombination: meiotic and somatic, linkage calculations, linkage maps and their uses in identifying marker-trait associations and anchoring genome assemblies, and molecular marker types and technologies.

Somatic cell genetics: horizontal gene transfer, somatic crossing over, twin spots, chimeras, mosaics, somaclonal variation, parasexual hybridization.

Next generation breeding methods: marker-assisted breeding (MAB), transgenics, cisgenics and intragenics, genome editing, reverse breeding, precision breeding.

Others depending on student interests.