Genetics & The Human Genome Project

Material to be covered

A variety of topics and issues relating to genetics and the Human Genome Project will be covered.

Some of these topics are listed below:

The genetics revolution

Misconceptions of genetics; what it is and what it isn't. Mendelian genetics and the current state of Mendelian theory. The work of Crick and Watson through to genetic engineering, cloning and the growth of embryonic stem cells.

Elementary principles in genetics

The human genome; what it does and does not code. The importance of RNA. The structure of DNA and its information content. Mitosis and meiosis. Chromosomes, genes, transcription and translation. Sex and chromosomes. Genes and ageing.

Advanced genetics

Molecular genetics. The genetic basis of complex human behaviours. Quantitative genetics: developmental, multivariate and extreme genetic analysis. Genomic variation and disease risk. Genetic divergence and race.

The Human Genome Project

The nature of the Human Genome Project. The physical map and the genome directory. Biological, medical, legal and ethical ramifications of decoding the double helix and its potential impact on economics and society. The next step: after the genome has been sequenced.

DNA sequencing and gene mapping

How the genetic code is being sequenced; DNA probes and restriction enzymes. Beyond and between the genes. The DNA sequence of chromosome 21. Examples of chromosomal gene maps for various human diseases.

Cancer genetics

The molecular biology of cancer. Proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes; -ras and p53 genes. Mutation sequences in the evolution of colon and cervical cancer. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and susceptibility to breast cancer. The development of molecular cancer therapies.

Behaviour and psychiatric genetics

Neurobehavioural genetics and the application of genetic methods such as linkage analysis and heritability to its study. Applications of quantitative and molecular genetics to the study of animal behaviour and human clinical problems such as neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders.

Gene therapy

The logic behind gene therapy and the process of replacing dysfunctional genes with functional ones. Successes to date and the main problems currently associated with of gene therapy. The potential benefits for public health.

Applications of genetics

Tissue transplantation and organ matching. Immunity and natural selection. Genetic engineering. DNA fingerprinting and forensics. Cloning. The limits of genetics.

 

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