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    Overview

    Developmental genetics of bacteria, yeast, animals and plants; mutant screens to investigate gene function; applications of genetically engineered plants and animals in biotechnology; safety and regulation of GE organisms.

    GENE 223 provides an overview of the genetic basis of development in a broad range of organisms - from microorganisms to animals and plants. Development specifies the morphology of these organisms. The paper includes examples of how genetic engineering and genome editing are used to understand development and how genetics can be in a broad range biotechnology applications, including food production and medicine. The lecture course is complemented by a laboratory course that gives hands-on experience of methods that are used in developmental genetics and biotechnology.

    About this paper

    Paper title Developmental and Applied Genetics
    Subject Genetics
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,173.30
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    CELS 191 and 90 further points
    Recommended Preparation
    GENE 221 and BIOC 221
    Schedule C
    Science
    Eligibility
    The paper is appropriate for students majoring in biological sciences (including Genetics, Zoology, Botany), applied sciences or biomedical sciences.
    Contact

    genetics@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Convenor: Associate Professor Tina Summerfield

    Other teaching staff:

    Dr Htin Lin Aung

    Dr Karen Knapp

    Associate Professor Caroline Beck

    Professor Stephanie Hughes

    Professor Richard Macknight

    Professor Peter Dearden

    Dr Gillian MacKay

    Associate Professor Phil Wilcox

    Paper Structure

    The lecture course is divided into four topics:

    • Bacterial model systems (3 lectures)
    • Animal development (10 lectures)
    • Plant development (4 lectures)
    • Biotechnology (12 lectures)

    The practical sessions of the course will provide the opportunity to experience some of the methods used in developmental genetics and biotechnology and to learn skills required for the interpretation of results. This includes genetic analysis of yeast, embryonic development in animals and plants (including chemical manipulation of zebrafish development), tusing methods for detecting genetically modified organisms and discussion of the ethical, economic and environmental issues around the use of genetic engineering.

    Teaching Arrangements
    There are six weeks of laboratory classes, in three 2-week blocks. Students are assigned to one of two lab streams.
    Textbooks

    Recommended:
    Introduction to Genetic Analysis, Griffiths, 12th Edition. Earlier editions of this book are also satisfactory if you have access to a copy.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will understand:

    • The complexity of developmental genetics in bacterial model systems
    • The use of yeast as a simple model of eukaryote development
    • The diversity of animal models for development; signalling in animal development
    • Sex determination as a developmental cascade
    • Genetic screens as tools to build genetic pathways
    • Production and use of transgenic plants to understand development
    • Genetic control of flowering
    • The use of genetically engineered organisms as chemical factories
    • Manipulation to improve quality and yield
    • The production of transgenic foods and the associated health, safety and regulatory issues
    • Biotechnology applications for human health

    Timetable

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 09:00-09:50 37-42
    AND
    D1 Thursday 13:00-13:50 29-35, 37-42
    AND
    E1 Friday 12:00-12:50 30-35, 37-42

    Practical

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A1 Friday 14:00-17:50 29-30, 33-34, 38-39
    A2 Monday 14:00-17:50 30-31, 34-35, 39-40
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