BIOL 38 Microbiology

BIOL 55 Genetic Analysis

• Human molecular and population genetics
• Model research systems--Mouse, nematode, Arabidopsis
• Ethical questions--genetics today and in science fiction

Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant condition of multiple tumors.  The TSC2 gene has been cloned and sequenced.  See Tuberous Sclerosis Complex  by Cheryl Howell '97

The human being is now a working model for molecular and population genetics. From the Human Genome Project to gene surgery, population mapping and evolution, this course explores current research approaches, including human as well as animal, plant, and bacterial systems.

Topics will include:

• Genes in pedigrees. PCR amplification of blood and sperm reveals inherited mutations. See Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. What's the evidence for heritability of diabetes? Breast cancer? Alzheimer's disease?

• Gene structure and regulation.  Human genes are regulated by specific proteins--encoded by yet other genes. How does it all work?  Learn how any gene is regulated through GenBank.   Knowledge of gene function leads to gene surgery--replacing or repairing defective genes.

• Hardy-Weinberg distribution and genetic counseling. Explore the theory, and extensions such as DNA variation, assortative mating, and mutation-selection balance. How does heterozygote advantage keep lethal alleles in our population?  Try out the  Hardy-Weinberg Simulator.

• Chromosome structure and function.  Mechanisms of chromosome division and segregation lead to severe mutations. Why is mental retardation such a common sign of hidden chromosome defects? Yet plants, particularly agricultural crops, are often polyploid. How does polyploidy improve crops and enable production of seedless varieties?

• Animal and plant models of disease.  How do we get human genes into animals and plants? Transgenic animals create models for disease, such as a mouse line with entirely human hemoglobin--with or without sickle-cell anemia. Transgenic plants reveal surprising affinities to human physiology. Does Arabidopsis have a "nervous system"? If we put animal meat genes into plants, to taste like meat, can a vegetarian eat them?

• Bacterial genetics. Bacterial DNA operates by unique mechanisms, including the promiscuous spread of genes for virulence and drug resistance. How do environmental factors regulate bacterial genes? How do we discover virulence genes and design new drugs against E. coli, tuberculosis, AIDS?

• Quantitative genetics. Traits in nature always combine many influences of genes and environment. How can we measure inheritability of traits in plants and animals? Can heritability be measured in humans?

• Molecular evolution.  Over time, change in DNA sequence leads to new genes and new species.  Molecular evolution explains the structure of mitochondria, and the dimorphism between X and Y chromosomes.

• Human diversity.  What can DNA tell us about human ethnic diversity?  Do biological races exist?   What are the implications of "ethnic DNA" for human health?

• Science fiction genetics.  What does science fiction tell us about the future of genetics?  Can we clone dinosaurs or woolly mammoths?  Will we clone ourselves -- or just spare parts?  Will humans interbreed with animals or plants?  Or visitors from outer space?

• Analyse a cloned human gene
• Detect environmental regulation of gene expression
• Create the International Proteome Database on Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria causing human gastritis.

UreB (urease) helps neutralize stomach acid around the bacteria.  26kD Antigen is a pH-dependent protein known to induce human antibodies.  The question marks note  unidentified proteins that are turned on by acid.  We will find their sequence from the Helicobacter Genome.  How do these proteins help the bacteria survive and cause illness?  We will investigate these questions and look for more acid-regulated proteins.  Our Kenyon Web site will provide a resource for other researchers.