Guided research projects to study gene evolution in plants, coupled with functional investigation in the lab. We focus in particular on candidate genes for phenotypes diverged between plant populations adapted to different habitats.
Learning objective
To learn both bioinformatic and laboratory skills relevant to plant molecular genetics. Students will lern to analyse gene sequence evolution from existing sequence data, and will learn laboratory follow-up to investigate the potential role of alternate alleles of candidate genes in generating phenotypes.
Content
Guided research projects to study the biochemical consequences of adaptive evolution in a variety of proteins. Mostly the focus is on proteins that seem to have evolved to help stabilize meiosis to temperature and/or polyploidy in plants.
Lecture notes
Will be provided, as appropriate, during the course.
Literature
Will be provided, as appropriate, during the course.
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Repetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.
Additional information on mode of examination
Grading criteria: Lab Participation, Presentation/Discussion participation, Final written report and oral presentation.
Students are obliged to be present throughout the block course. Cancellation: If you have to deregister from a course that has been assigned to you (just emergency reasons), please notify in written the course coordinator at least four weeks before the course starts, for courses in the 1st quarter, a cancellation period of one week applies. The study secretariat D-BIOL must also be informed (email CC to studies@biol.ethz.ch) so that the enrollment is deleted. Otherwise the course is considered as "failed".
Learning materials
No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.
Groups
No information on groups available.
Restrictions
General
Permission from lecturers required for all students
Performance assessment as a semester course