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551-1520-00L 6 Credits BSC D-BIOL

Evolutionary Genetics to Explore the Role of Genes in Trait Evolution

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Kirsten Bomblies, Dr. Marinela Dukic, Dr. Thanvi Srikant, Dr. Anis Meschichi
Number of participants limited to 15. The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:30

Abstract

Guided research projects to study gene evolution in plants, coupled with functional investigation in the lab. We focus in particular on candidate genes for phenotypes diverged between plant populations adapted to different habitats and/or different ploidy.

Objective

To learn both bioinformatic and laboratory skills relevant to plant molecular genetics. Students will lern to analyse gene sequence evolution from existing sequence data, and will learn laboratory follow-up to investigate the potential role of alternate alleles of candidate genes in generating phenotypes.

Content

Guided research projects to identify and study the biochemical consequences of adaptive evolution in a variety of proteins. Mostly the focus is on proteins that seem to have evolved to help stabilize core cellular processes in response to extreme temperature and/or polyploidy in plants.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Will be provided, as appropriate, during the course.

Literature

Will be provided, as appropriate, during the course.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Grading criteria: Lab Participation, Presentation/Discussion participation, Final written report and oral presentation.Students are obliged to be present throughout the block course.Cancellation: If you have to deregister from a course that has been assigned to you (just emergency reasons), please notify in written the course coordinator at least four weeks before the course starts, for courses in the 1st quarter, a cancellation period of one week applies. The study secretariat D-BIOL must also be informed (email CC [email protected]) so that the enrollment is deleted. Otherwise the course is considered as "failed".

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
practical/laboratory course Evolutionary Genetics to Explore the Role of Genes in Trait Evolution
Permission from lecturers required for all students. Block course in the 4th quarter of the autumn semester.
No time listed 100 h semesterly

Offered In