Fall 2012 Home Page
Welcome to IST 341
This course will provide students with a basic foundation in human genetics. Fundamental principles of classical, molecular and population genetics will be presented with a focus on their application to human inheritance and the genetic basis of human diseases. The social and ethical issues raised by progress in medical genetics will be evaluated and discussed. This course allows students to develop proficiency in the methods used in human genetics laboratories. Labs are designed to promote student independence, accountability and teamwork. This course is designated as writing intensive and will promote using writing to enhance learning the subject content as outlined below.
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Course Objectives:
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Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Enhance their writing skills and strategies.
- Learn to read understand and write about the human genetics literature in laboratory reports and reviews of technical literature.
- Understand the basic principles of genetics, including mitosis and meiosis and the processes of replication, transcription and translation.
- Understand the genetic basis of human disease and current approaches to treatment and prevention of genetic disorders
- Relate the study of human genetics to major advances in genomics, bioinformatics, molecular genetics and biotechnology
- Appreciate the interaction between genetic and environmental factors and the development of human characteristics.
- Relate the individual genome to the genetic makeup of the human population and its ramifications to human diversity
- Discuss the application of Human Genetics in career areas including biomedical technology, pre-medical, secondary education, special education, and nursing.
- Ability to collect family history and construct a pedigree and interpret pedigree data.
- PCR and SNP genotyping using agarose gels and real time PCR.
- PCR and DNA sequencing of human mitochondrial DNA and interpretation of geographic patterns; Computer analysis of DNA sequences.
- Understanding of the HapMap, Seattle SNP database and trait mapping.
- Understanding Expansion of Trinucleotide Repeats through PCR and Southern Blots
Laboratory Objectives:
After completion of the laboratory portion of this class, students will have demonstrated the following skills:
- Ability to collect family history and construct a pedigree
- Ability to interpret pedigree data
- PCR and SNP genotyping using agarose gels
- PCR and DNA sequencing of human mitochondrial DNA and interpretation of geographic patterns
- Computer analysis of DNA sequences
- Understanding of the HapMap, Seattle SNP database and trait mapping
- Protein Gel for hemoglobinopathies
Case Studies:
One in a Billion- Please read the Pulitzer Prize winning article from Milwaukee Sentinel about determination of cause of a young boy's genetic defect by whole genome sequencing. There are three newspaper articles linked here Part 1 Part 2 Part 3. We will discuss this genetic breakthrough and the implications for modern medical genetics in subsequent lectures. After discussion I will pass out handout on possible essay questions on this topic which would be included on the first exam.
Assignments:
1. Develop a pedigree from a family's Data: Assignment sheet. Grading Rubric. Assignment is due on April 13, 2012.
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