Lecture, chapter 3 - Mendelian Genetics

Mendel, in his garden
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Today we talked about the classic experiments with which Mendel kick-started the field of genetics. We discussed the monohybrid and dihybrid crosses that lead Mendel to propose his principles:

• Principle of segregation
• Principle of independent assortment

We then discussed human traits in which Mendel's principles can be observed. On Monday we will talk about apparent deviations from Mendel's principles.

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Lab 01 - Human Mendelian genetics

During this first lab students learned the basics of building pedigrees to study human genetics.

Pedigrees were built for the following traits

• Free or attached ear lone
• Hitchhiker's thumb
• Tongue rolling
• Hand folding

The latter two are behavioral traits with a genetic component but they seem to be inherited in a Mendelian fashion; they were suitable for this basic exercise.

Then students did simulations of gametogenesis and offspring production to illustrate topics that will be soon studied in lecture: Mendel's principles.

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Bioethics projects - Topics selection

Today students formed groups and chose topics for the bioethics papers and panel discussions (genetics-related topics that generate social, moral, or political controversy). The groups and chosen topics are the following:

1. Human cloning - Becca, Kelly, Kandai
2. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) - John, Josh, Mohammed
3. Genetic screening for psychiatric disorders - Cara, Chelsey, Scott
4. Prenatal genetic diagnosis (PGD) - Amanda, Sarah, Brittany
5. Embryonic stem cell research - Amy, Nicole, Saleh
6. Designer babies - Chelsie, Daisy, Johnny

Panel discussions will take place during the lab session of week 9. Papers are due the same day.

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Lecture, chapter 1 - A human perspective on genetics

Today we finished chapter 1.

We discussed the impact that genetics has had in society, since the 19th century when Francis Galton started a eugenics movement, to the more positive impact it has today through biotechnology.

Tomorrow:

We will do lab 1, Family pedigree analysis. Please remember to find out what are your and your relatives' phenotypes for the following traits:

• Tonge rolling - Roller vs. non-roller
• Ear lobe - Free vs. attached
• Thumb - Hitchhiker's vs. straight thumb
• Hand folding - Left thumb over right vs. right over left

The lab guide will be available on the p-drive and the WebCT site and will be e-mailed to you as well.

Remember you must form groups of three people to develop the bioethics projects. You must propose genetics-related topics that are controversial. Topics will b assigned before starting lab 1.

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Lecture, chapter 1 - A human perspective on genetics

Today we had an introduction to the class. We talked about the organization of the course, expectations and how it's going to be graded, and started chapter 1 in the book.

Chapter 1 in the textbook, Genetics as a human endeavor, is an introduction to the course, and a dissertation on the importance of genetics for every day's life. We discussed, at a basic level, topics from the definition of genetics to the different approaches to study genetics.

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