COMPUTER-BASED GENE AND DISEASE/DISORDER RESEARCH LAB

GENETICS 885

With the availability of genome sequences and high-throughput techniques, organismal physiology can now be examined on a global scale by monitoring the behavior of all genes or proteins in a single experiment. This course will present modern techniques in genomics and proteomics, with particular focus on analyzing the data generated by these techniques. Course material will cover genomic sequencing, comparative sequence analysis, phylogeny construction and phylogenomics, transcription factor motif discovery, DNA microarray analysis, techniques in mass spectrometry, proteomic screening methods, and protein-interaction network analysis. In addition to lecture time, the course includes computer lab where students get hands-on experience analyzing genomic and proteomic datasets. Students should have coursework in general statistics and intermediate or advanced genetics.

ZOOLOGY 415

Covers a range of topics related to human genetics and evolution. Explores questions about what genetic differences between humans tell us about our species' evolutionary and demographic history, and conversely, how our history has shaped the genetic diversity of people living today. At a time of rapidly increasing ability to sequence huge numbers of genomes such questions play a central role in understanding how genetics impacts individuals' disease risks, how to interpret reported ancestry and family history from direct-to-consumer genotyping kits, and how genetics can (or importantly, cannot) inform descriptions of human diversity and concepts of race. Includes topics of diversity and inclusion in genomics studies, with a focus on the application and limits of results obtained from one group to our understanding of other groups.

CRB/GENETICS 710

Covers a broad range of topics in animal development, with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms. Focuses on common themes, with the goal of understanding and analyzing current research in developmental biology and genetics.

GENETICS 564

The basic principles of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics will be taught through a semester-long project of the students choosing. Creative problem solving in science skills will be learned through a variety of active-learning techniques that include: reading of primary literature, group presentations, peer review, bioinformatic lab exercises, science communication skills (writing visualization), and creating a website. Emphasis will be placed upon how to effectively communicate science (written, oral and written). Topics include: genomic sequencing, phylogeny, domain analysis, transcriptomics, CRISPR screens, chemical genomics, quantitative proteomics and protein networks. Capstone course.

BIOCHEM/NUTRSCI 560

Covers basic and applied biochemical principles related to human disease. Topics such as: cancer, including cell cycle regulation, oncogenes and tumor suppressors, and cellular metabolism; metabolic disorders, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes; biotechnology, including metabolomics, CRISPR-based genetic screens, and experimental models of human disease.