Genetics is the basis for most biological, medical and biotechnical analyses and techniques. Consequently, in order to optimally exploit the biotechnical tools, knowledge about the basic genetics is of great importance. This course aims to give a broad knowledge, from an evolutionary perspective, of how genetic variation is formed and inherited, and how it evolves.
A number of basic aspects of genetics will be studied, for example:
- The origins of life, and the “Tree of Life”: the origins, development and relationships (phylogeny) of all organisms
- The mechanisms of evolution
- The genetic difference between organisms: differences and similarities in the architecture and function of the genomes, and how this evolved through the evolution
- Inheritance of genes and traits: different modes of inheritance (e.g. Mendelian and asexual) and their effect on the “success” of individuals and species
- Inherited diseases: their causes and effects
- Mutations: the chemistry of DNA damage, the types of mutations, and cellular mechanisms for their repair
- Mapping of genes (identification of which trait is affected by which gene)
- Genetic differences between human populations: their historical origin and subsequent spread, and their medical importance