Plant Genetics

Plant Genetics

Course Description

The structure, expression, and manipulation of plant genomes will be explored using the principles and theory of classical and contemporary genetics. This course is designed to build a solid foundation in plant genetics and to stimulate further, more specialized, study. Some genetics background helpful, but not required.

Professor

Patrick Hayes: 253 Crop Science Bldg.
Office Hours: Wednesdays 1-2, or by appointment

Teaching assistant

Sarah Windes: 221 Crop Science Bldg.
Office Hours: by appointment

 

Recitation (PBG431)

Thursdays 1:00 -1:50. Crop Science Bldg. 138

Schedule

Related classes to consider

Plant Breeding (PBG450/550) Spring, 2020

Topics

  • Week 1: Reviews 
    • DNA to protein
    • Mitosis and meiosis
    • Angiosperm gametogenesis and double fertilization
       
  • Week 2:  Sexual reproduction and Mendelian analysis 
    • Crosses and generations
    • Single genes in the contemporary landscape
    • Focus on a single gene 
    • Hypothesis testing
       
  • Week 3
    • (A): Asexual reproduction, apomixis
      • Asexual propagation, apomixis and case studies of Rubus and Citrus
    • (B): Ploidy levels
      • Overview of n, 2n, and _X
      • Autopolyploids
         
  • Week 4:
    • (A) Ploidy levels
      • Allopolyploids
    • (B): From selfing to enforced outcrossing
      • Self-incompatibility
      • Monoecy
      • Dioecy
      • Male sterility
         
  • Week 5: From gene to phenotype
    • Understanding the genetic basis of allelic variation
    • Molecular tools
       
  • Week 6: From gene to phenotype
    • Genome sequencing
    • Bioinformatics
       
  • Week 7: Manipulating phenotypic outcomes
    • Transgenics
    • Genome editing
       
  • Week 8: Regulation
    • RNAi
    • Intra-and inter-allelic interactions
    • Heterosis
       
  • Week 9: Genome architecture and operations
    • An exemplary genome
    • Transposable elements
    • Epigenetics
    • Linkage
       
  • Week 10: Beyond Mendelian genetics
    • A glimpse of population and quantitative genetics
    • QTL mapping: biparental and GWAS

Assignments and Due Dates

  • See Canvas site

Resources

links:

Genetics in the news:

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