Universität Wien

300627 SE Mobile Genetic Elements and Plant Genome Evolution (2011S)

2.00 ECTS (1.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 10 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 04.03. 11:00 - 12:00 Übungsraum 3 (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg 1.OG
  • Friday 11.03. 12:00 - 15:00 Übungsraum 3 (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg 1.OG
  • Friday 18.03. 12:00 - 15:00 Übungsraum 3 (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg 1.OG
  • Friday 25.03. 12:00 - 15:00 Übungsraum 3 (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg 1.OG
  • Friday 01.04. 12:00 - 15:00 Übungsraum 3 (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg 1.OG
  • Friday 08.04. 12:00 - 15:00 Übungsraum 3 (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg 1.OG
  • Friday 15.04. 12:00 - 15:00 Übungsraum 3 (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg 1.OG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course offers the students the possibility to get acquainted with modern literature and recent views on transposable elements, which constitute large fractions of plant genomes. The selected papers will focus on types of transposable elements, hypotheses on their origin, factors stimulating their activity in the genome, mechanisms which enable their successful amplification and re-integration in the genome, and horizontal transfer of the elements. Furthermore, their impact on genome restructuring on all levels of organization and evolution will be discussed as well as their role in the genome (selfish junk DNA vs. useful collaborator). Students will be able to understand and appreciate different aspects of transposon evolution and their role in shaping plant genomes, especially in the forthcoming era of genomics.

Assessment and permitted materials

Preparation of published papers for discussions 60%
Active participation in discussions 20%
Written report (summary of prepared papers and discussion) 20%

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

To acquire following skills:
1. To be able critically read the literature, to synthesize gained knowledge, ask relevant questions and plan own experiments
2. To be able to analyze, document and interpret the data in the context of other available published information.
Knowlegde outcome:
1. To be able to define transposons and their types.
2. To be able to define major mechanisms by which the transposable elements propagate and integrate in the genome
3. To be able to define types and processes by which different transposon types participate in plant genome function and define what types of evolutionary changes do they influence in different plant groups (e.g., on the level of genes, chromosomes, and whole genomes)
4. To be able to recapitulate methodological approaches that utilize transposable elements to answer evolutionary questions and anticipate their application in plant genome analyses.

Examination topics

seminar; presentation, discussion, and critical evaluation of scientific papers

Reading list

1. Volff J.-N. (ed.) 2005. Retrotransposable elements and genome evolution. Karger, Basel.
2. Ayala F.J., Fitch W.M., and Clegg M.T. (eds) 2000. Variation and evolution in plants and microorganisms: toward a new synthesis 50 years after Stebbins. National Academy of Sciences of the USA.
3. Puertas M.J. & Naranjo T. (eds.) 2005. Plant cytogenetics. Karger, Basel.
4. Birchler J. & Pires C. (eds.) 2010. Advanced in Plant Cytogenetics. Karger, Basel.

Association in the course directory

MPF W-1, MEV W-6, MGE III-2

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:44