Introduction to Genetics: History and Genetic Research

BIO 250: Genetics

Dr. Ramos

Genetics

Major areas of study

• Mendelian or classical genetics – Principles of transmission genetics

• Molecular Genetics – Biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which

hereditary information is stored in DNA and transmitted into protein.

• Population and Evolutionary Genetics – Factors determine genetic compositions of groups

of related organisms and how genetic changes occur.

How do genetics impact your life?

Genetic Research and Applications

• Genetic improvement of agricultural crops

– Adapt plants to:

• Higher temperatures

• Decreased water availability

• Floods

• Resistance to disease

Genetically modified organisms (GMO)

Genetic Research and Applications

• Genomic Medicine

– Human Genome Project

Genetic Research and Applications

• Genomic Medicine

– Tailor medical treatments

– Genetic basis of disease

– Cancer genomics

– Prenatal and newborn genomic analysis

Genetic Research and Applications

• Forensics

– Use of genetic material during investigations

– Identify remains

– Solve crimes

• Conservation genetics

Genetic Research and Applications

Genetic Research and Applications

• Biotechnology

– Combines other disciplines

– Pharmaceutical research

– Bioremediation

– Industrial applications

What will you learn this semester?

Gene- unit of heredity. Coding region of DNA that determines a protein.

DNA- deoxyribonucleic acid

Long double helical molecule composed of deoxyribonucleotides.

Codes genetic material.

How did we learn about genes?

Ancient genetics Modern genetics

History of Genetics

• Before 1866 • Progeny usually

looks like parents. • Efforts to

domesticate and breed animals and plants.

• 1866 – Mendel and the “Rules of Inheritance”.

• 1944 – Avery, McLead, and McCarty demonstrate DNA is hereditary material.

• 1953 – Watson and Crick proposed the double stranded model for DNA using data from Rosalind Franklin.

Modern Genetics

Development of genetic tools

Genomics and applications

Glossary Sheet

• Terms you should know from this lecture:

• Terms you should know for the next lecture:

Genetics Heredity

Gene DNA

Phenotype Genotype

Dominant Recessive

Alleles Genotype

Homozygous Heterozygous