MGY314H1: Principles of Genetic Analysis I
Genetics is an experimental science. MGY314H is a laboratory course in prokaryotic (bacterial) and eukaryotic (yeast) genetics; you will perform several experiments over the 12-week period. Students will work in teams of 2 (sometimes 3) to carry out a variety of crosses, mutant hunts, and phenotypic characterization in bacteria, phage, and yeast, and learn to analyze and interpret the genetic data that you obtain. During this course, you will generate mutants, deduce gene function from phenotypic analysis, identify genetic suppressors, characterize mutant alleles (dominant or recessive), perform meiotic segregation analysis, order genes in a genetic pathway (epistasis analysis) and generate genetic interaction profiles. Most of your time will be in the lab, with some tutorials and pre-lab lectures to discuss experimental results and to supplement your understanding of genetics.
The emphasis in MGY314H is to learn the fundamental concepts of genetics: mutation, complementation, recombination, genetic suppression and regulation (epistasis)--notably, how to apply the tools of genetic analysis and how to interpret them. The models we use are Escherichia coli, the best studied gram-negative bacterial species that reproduce asexually, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (also known as baker's or brewer's yeast), the best characterized eukaryotic model that reproduces through both asexual (mitotic) and sexual (meiotic) cycles. E.coli and budding yeasts are often the models of choice in the study of more harmful bacterial/fungal species because many principles of their biology are generally applicable, and both have contributed much to our understanding of the core principles of inheritance and genetic interaction. Finally, both organisms are broadly used as workhorses for molecular biology (cloning, expression, genetic interactions), and much of the original genetics defined in E. coli and budding yeast has led to important tools for diagnosis and scientific research.
Department-based Ancillary Fees: (subject to change) $25.00 - Laboratory equipment and materials
Textbook: none required, but keep hold of your genetics notes from HMB265 and MGY340. An on-line lab manual will be made available to students through Quercus.
Course Coordinator: Dr. Bri Lavoie