Human Genetics B: Non-mendelian Genetics

Catalog description

This course explores genetic disease mechanisms that alter chromosome behavior or show non-mendelian patterns of inheritance. GENET 585GENET 585 Human Genetics B: Non-mendelian Genetics (1) Many genetic diseases do not show straightforward patterns of inheritance. Was Gregor Mendel wrong? How can a disorder be inherited without causing primary DNA sequence changes? What is the biological basis behind disorders that do not show simple mendelian inheritance? What are the phenotypic consequences of disorders that alter fundamental aspects of chromosome mechanics? These topics and more will be covered in this selective course.This course will be offered as part of 3 one-unit courses in Human Genetics that cover (1) identification and analysis of chromosomes and disease genes, (2) the human genome and complex traits, and (3) chromosome behavior and non-mendelian inheritance. The full three unit series may be taken in its entirety although each one-unit course is completely independent of the other two courses.Students will be evaluated by their class participation and performance on take-home assignments that require the students to solve problems, evaluate experiments, or logically address research questions.