212-303 Molecular Biology, Genetics and Breeding

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Objectives:

On completion of this subject students should have: a good understanding of genes at the molecular level; understand genes at the level of populations, and their contribution to development of quantitative traits in plants and animals; be aware of how this knowledge is applied in genetic improvement of plants and animals, and of the causes of natural variation and environmental constraints to variation among populations and species.

Content:

Molecular basis of plant and animal breeding: The biochemical basis of plant and animal breeding. The structure and arrangement of the genome in eukaryotes contrasted with the prokaryote genome. The mechanism and regulation of gene expression in higher organisms, both plants and animals, both at the RNA and DNA level. The biochemical basis of tissue and organelle specific gene expression. Modern methods of genetic engineering including details of vector systems currently being applied to plants and animals of agricultural importance. Animal Genetics and Breeding:Population genetics: migration, mutation, selection, chance; types of mating - inbreeding. Quantitative genetics: genetic and environmental components of variance; resemblance of relatives; heritability, selection - response, methods; heterosis - cross-breeding. Evolutionary perspective: the constraining effect of environment on genetic change; correlated characters; genotype-environment interactions. Application to improvement of animals. Plant Genetics and Breeding: Evolutionary processes and genetic variability of plant populations. Genetic conservation. Methods of breeding self- and cross-pollinating plants. Genetics of, and breeding for, disease and insect resistance in agricultural plants. Special techniques used in plant breeding - induced mutation, induced ploidy changes, tissue culture and cytogenetics.

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