What is this course about?
A wealth of genomic data has been gathered from broadly diverse research organisms in recent years. Articles analyzing this body of information now dominate the pages of the world’s leading scientific journals and herald the dawn of a new approach to biological inquiry. Strategies for exploring the fundamental processes governing living organisms are no longer based merely on a trait-by-trait or a gene-by-gene research paradigm, but are now conducted on global, whole-organism and genome-wide scales.
How can we make sense of the flood of new information produced by genomic studies? What are the most exciting questions being addressed through investigations of whole genome sequences? An excellent way to become familiar with the grand scheme of genome biology is to approach the topic from a comparative and evolutionary perspective. Although genomic projects are generally designed to help us to better understand individual research organisms, collectively they provide a tremendous resource to explore and understand basic questions surrounding genome architecture, content, function and evolution. Over the semester we will review the primary literature and become familiar with the latest developments, research strategies, and modes of analysis used in comparative genomic research. More specifically, articles drawn from the recent literature in the field that illustrate the range of extant genome diversity and elucidate the mechanisms by which genomes have evolved throughout the history of our biota.
Who should take this course?
Graduate and undergraduate students in biology-related disciplines are welcome to join the course. The only prerequisites are an interest in genome biology and at least one genetics course. For undergraduates this course fulfills a requirement for an upper division elective in biology.
Course objectives or expected learning outcomes:
The course will provide students with a broad view of genome biology. The terminology, experimental logic, and modes of analysis integral to genomic research have become essential tools for any student who wishes to be competitive for a career in 21st century, biology-related fields. However, as always, fundamental skills, such as analytical reasoning, critical thinking, effective writing, and oral presentation skills remain essential qualities for both undergraduate and graduate students. This course aims to familiarize students with the latest developments, research strategies, and modes of analysis used in comparative genomic research. Additionally, it provides considerable practice in critical thinking, analytic, and communication skills through reading, interpretation, critical writing and inquiry-based discussion of scientific papers drawn from the recent literature. Students enrolled at both the undergraduate and graduate levels will have opportunity to express their ideas more formally through strategic writing assignments and to revise their work in light of critical feedback from course instructors. Students enrolled at the graduate level will critique papers drawn from the primary literature by leading discussions and providing peers with executive summaries of groundbreaking papers. Students will also prepare a comprehensive, original review, in proper journal format, of a topic closely related to the subject matter covered in the course.
Who are the instructors?
Drs. J.H. Leebens-Mack (PBIO: Plant Systematics, Evolutionary Biology), and A. H. Paterson (CRSS, PBIO, GENE: Plant Genetics, Evolutionary Biology) collaborate to bring to the course expertise in a range of overlapping and complementary disciplines surrounding the topic of genome evolution. |
