Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Lab 01 - Human Genetics

We explained how to do simple pedigree analyses, based on family information for four traits inherited in a Mendelian fashion (independent assortment and complete dominance of one of the alleles): Hitchhiker's thumb, free/attached earlobe, folding hands, and tongue rolling.

Then, following the lab guide we simulated gametogenesis and generation of offspring according with the students' genotypes for each one of those four traits.  We compared the phenotypic outcomes with the expected proportions by having each couple of students generate 10 zygotes with the simulated gametes (on paper).  Finally, students drew their pedigrees using their own family information and also the data generated for their hypothetical offspring.

Some students even named their "babies".  No extra credit for that!

Next lab: Epistasis and hypothesis testing (no Mendelian genetics).

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