Universität Wien

300308 VO Human Evolutionary Genetics: genomic, genes, diseases (2022S)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Moodle

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Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Due to the unpredictable corona measures taken by the government, it must be expected that there may be changes at very short notice at any time and that lectures will then only be available digitally in Moodle. However, if possible, the lectures will mostly (or entirely) take place on site at the University.

  • Monday 07.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 14.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 21.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 28.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 04.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 25.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 02.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 09.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 16.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 23.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 30.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 13.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0
  • Monday 20.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 0.033, Ebene 0

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The aim of this lecture is to provide students with knowledge and a good understanding of the scientific field of human genetics. The lectures will also prepare students in particular to understand how different evolutionary forces influence the human genome. Students learn about the key concepts of human evolutionary genetics and gain insights into how genetics can be used to elucidate the phenotypic traits such as diseases, immune defences and behaviour.
The first part of the lectures introduces students to the structure of the human genome, the key aspects of chromosome biology; the basis of gene functions and the role of epigenetics in gene regulation. In the second part, students will be briefly introduced to the state-of-the-art methods used in human genomics. The third part of the lecture aims to provide an understanding of the key concepts of human evolutionary genetics, population genetics and molecular anthropology. Students will gain insight into how different evolutionary processes affect genetic diversity and learn how these concepts are used to understand genetic diversity at both the individual and population levels. In the fourth part, students will gain understanding how human genomic variation can directly or indirectly affect the risk to develop diseases, contribute to host defence, and influences human behaviours. (Research-focused lectures providing case-studies).
Teaching and learning methods: Lectures, handouts, and presentations (PowerPoint slides will be provided on Moodle).

Assessment and permitted materials

Depending on the government's corona measures, the exam is either held digitally (Moodle) or as attendance exam.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Student should gain knowledge and understanding:
i) the structure of the human genome, the basics of chromosome biology and heredity;
ii) the basics of gene function, regulation, and transcription;
iii) the role of epigenetic modification in gene regulation;
iv) molecular methods used in human genetics/genomics;
v) understanding of the key concepts of human evolutionary- and population genetics;
vi) understanding of human genomic variation and function in human health, disease and behavior;
vii) applying the gained knowledge to research questions/problems.
For a positive grade, at least 50% of the exam questions must be answered correctly.

Examination topics

Lectures, handouts, and presentations (course content).

Textbooks:
Human Evolutionary Genetics (2013, 2nd ed.). Mark A. Jobling et al.
An Introduction to Molecular Anthropology (2016). Mark Stoneking.
Human Molecular Genetics (2018, 5th ed.). Tom Strachan & Andrew Read

Reading list

Human Evolutionary Genetics
Mark A. Jobling, Edward Hollox , Mathew Hurles, Toomas Kivisild, Chris Tyler-Smith.
Publication Date: June 25, 2013 | ISBN-10: 0815341482 | ISBN-13: 978-0815341482 | Edition: 2

An Introduction to Molecular Anthropology
Mark Stoneking
ISBN: 978-1-118-06162-6 December 2016 Wiley-Blackwell

Human Molecular Genetics (5th ed.)
Tom Strachan & Andrew Read
Publication Date: December, 2018 | · ISBN-13: 9780815345893 | Edition: 5

The Princeton Guide to Evolution
Jonathan B. Losos (editor in chief), David A. Baum, Douglas J. Futuyma, Hopi E. Hoekstra, Richard E. Lenski, Allen J. Moore, Catherine L. Peichel, Dolph Schluter & Michael C. Whitlock (editors). Publication Date: 2013, ISBN: 9780691149776. eBook ISBN: 9781400848065

Association in the course directory

UF BU 10, BAN 2

Last modified: Mo 23.01.2023 14:09