BIOL 51501 - Non-Mendelian Genetics

In this course students will explore topics and papers on genetic and environmental sources of variation in inherited disorders. This includes but is not limited to epistatic and other pathway influences, complex (multigenic) diseases, quantitative traits, genetic modifiers, environmental risk factors, gene x environment interactions. Students will look at primary research that identifies examples of these factors, both in human disease and in animal models of disease. They will also complete a miniature proposal, in which they will identify a human disease or disease model that is subject to phenotypic variation. They will propose an experiment to either characterize the impact of a modifying factor on that disease, or a way to screen for/identify modifying factors. We will have in-class time to work on this project during the Journal Club/Workshop portion of the course.

Preparation for Course
P: BIOL 21800 C- or better.

Cr. 3.
Notes
Instructor permission required.