300343 VO Genome structure and evolution (2019W)

This course offers an overview of plant genome structure and evolution. The structure of the nuclear genome (with focus on plant genomes) including types of coding and non-coding DNA sequences that contribute to the genome function and evolution and the mechanisms involved in such change will be discussed in detail. Main chromosomal landmarks (telomeres, centromeres, NORs) will be introduced and discussed in evolutionary context. All these features will be compared with genomic features and evolutionary trends of other organisms (animals, including humans, insects etc.). The newest methods recently developed to analyze genome composition and function including methods to characterize the coding and repetitive DNA fractions (e.g., high-throughput sequencing and high resolution microscopy) will also be introduced. Types and consequences of various genomic changes including polyploidy and more subtle chromosomal rearrangements as well as dynamics of mobile genetic elements in the genome, will be presented and discussed in the comparative phylogenetic context. The course also offers a few hours of practical chromosome handling and light microscopy.