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 is used to understand development and how genetics can be applied to biotechnology. Examples include genetic manipulation in animals, yeast and plants. The lecture course is complemented by a laboratory course that gives hands-on experience of methods that are used in developmental genetics and biotechnology.
| Paper title | Developmental and Applied Genetics |
|---|---|
| Paper code | GENE223 |
| Subject | Genetics |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Second Semester |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,038.45 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $4,680.00 |
- 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
- tina.summerfield@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the Genetics programme's website
- Teaching staff
- Convenor: Dr Tina Summerfield
Other teaching staff: Professor Clive Ronson, Dr Chris Brown, Dr Caroline Beck, Associate Professor Richard Macknight, Associate Professor Peter Dearden, and Dr Gillian Mackay - Paper Structure
- The lecture course is divided into five topics:
- Bacterial model systems (3 lectures)
- Yeast as a model eukaryote (4 lectures)
- Animal development (10 lectures)
- Plant development (4 lectures)
- Biotechnology (9 lectures)
- 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, 11th Edition. Earlier editions of this book are also satisfactory if you have access to a copy. - Course outline
- View the information sheet for GENE 223
- 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
- The broad objectives of GENE 223 are to 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
