300627 SE Plant Genome Evolution: Repetitive DNA (2020S)

This course offers the students the possibility to get acquainted with modern literature and recent views on repetitive DNA (tandemly repeated and dispersed including mobile genetic elements) which constitute large fractions of plant genomes. The selected papers will focus on types of repetitive DNA abundance, variation, hypotheses on their origin, factors stimulating their activity in the genome, mechanisms which enable their successful amplification, existence, and evolution in the genome. 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 evolution and role of repetitive DNA in shaping plant genomes, especially in the forthcoming era of genomics. Special emphasis will be on application of next generation sequencing to analyze repetitive DNA pf complex plant genomes, both diploid and polyploid.