This course provides students with laboratory experience in basic genetic principles. Students will analyze patterns of inheritance, gene interaction, linkage relationship, and genetic mapping of unknown mutants of Drosophila through a series of genetic crosses. By using molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis, mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans will be mapped to chromosomal locations. The experiments in microbial genetics include mapping by conjugation in E. coli. Experiments in human population genetics include calculating allelic frequencies of PTC tasting in the class. Students also will be doing DNA fingerprinting of a VNTR locus using their own squamous epithelial cells. A computer exercise on bioinformatics is included.

Course Requirements:

Students are expected to write two formal lab reports in addition to one or two short lab reports, and to keep a complete and accurate record of all results and analyses in a bound lab notebook. There are two tests given during the term.

Intended Audience:

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Class Format:

A one-hour lecture on Mondays 1-2 p.m. and one three-hour lab are scheduled each week; an additional three hours of lab time per week are expected at other times.