Molecular, cellular and developmental genetics

The ability to monitor and manipulate gene activity in experimental models is critical to advance our understanding of how genes control phenotypes. This unit will explore in depth the latest techniques for studying gene expression and function, with an emphasis on developing skills in scientific literacy and experimental design using approaches in molecular, cellular, and developmental genetics. This includes assaying and visualizing gene expression and protein sub cellular localization in vivo, methods for artificially activating or inhibiting gene activity including generating transgenic organisms and comparative, and bioinformatic methods for inferring gene function and evaluation. The application of these techniques will be demonstrated using examples of the study of the function and evolution of function of genes underlying fundamental cellular, developmental and physiological processes such as differentiation and growth, programmed cell death, cell-cell communication, cell movement, tissue patterning, neuronal signalling, and cellular homeostasis and metabolism.