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.
GENE223 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.
| Paper title | Developmental and Applied Genetics |
|---|---|
| Paper code | GENE223 |
| Subject | Genetics |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,141.35 |
| 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
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Convenor: Associate Professor Tina Summerfield
Other teaching staff:
Associate Professor Caroline Beck
- Paper Structure
The lecture course is divided into five topics:
- Bacterial model systems (3 lectures)
- Yeast as a model eukaryote (1 lecture)
- 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), the use of commercial kits 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.
