300167 VO Chromosome evolution in plants (2008S)

The purpose of the course is two-fold. First, it offers an overview of plant cytogenetic techniques: from traditional chromosome counting to more recently established techniques of chromosome painting (in situ hybridization) and immunocytochemistry. Second, it presents detailed and up-to-date information about plant chromosome structure (centromere, telomere etc.) and main types of DNA sequences used for cytogenetic analyses. It also focuses on possible types of chromosome rearrangements, types and chromosomal consequences of polyploidy, and chromosome evolution. The use of cytogenetic data (obtained from both classical and molecular cytogenetic studies) in inferring plant taxa relationships and in evolutionary studies will be discussed. The course will give the up-to-date overview of the state-of-art in the analyses of plant chromosomes.