Functional Genomics

Catalog description

In this course, students will learn how to access and use genomics data to address questions in cell biology, development and evolution. The genome of Drosophila melanogaster will serve as a basis for exploring genome structure and learning how to use a variety of available software to identify similar genes in different species, predict protein sequence and functional domains, design primers for PCR, analyze cis-regulatory sequences, access microarray and RNAseq databases, among others. Classes will be in the format of short lectures, short oral presentations made by students and hands-on experimentation using computers. Discussions will be centered in primary research papers that used these tools to address specific biological questions. A final project will consist of a research project formulated by a group of 2-3 students to test a hypothesis formulated by the students using the bioinformatics tools learned in the course. Graduate students will be required to make additional presentations of research papers. They also will have additional questions in exams and a distinct page requirement on written assignments. This course satisfies a laboratory requirement of the B.A. in Biology. This course satisfies a laboratory or quantitative laboratory requirement of the B.S. in Biology. Offered as BIOL 327 and BIOL 427 . Prereq: Graduate student standing.