Bi9020 Evolutionary and comparative plant cytogenetics

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2008
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. Mgr. Martin Lysák, Ph.D., DSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Jiří Fajkus, CSc.
Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. Mgr. Martin Lysák, Ph.D., DSc.
Prerequisites
Basics of molecular biology, plant genetics and cytogenetics.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course is providing an introduction to the structure of eukaryotic genomes, with a special focus on plant genomes on the level of chromosomes. The lectures will cover genome size variation and evolution across the plant kingdom, chromosome structure (heterochromatin, centromeres,...), ancient and recent whole-genome duplications, mechanisms of chromosome rearrangements, chromosome and genome collinearity, karyotype evolution and other related topics. The up-to-date findings in the field of plant molecular cytogenetics will be presented including crucial cytogenetic and molecular techniques (karyotyping, FISH, GISH, multicolour chromosome painting, sequencing technologies,...). At the end of this course, students should gain an overview of the latest development in plant evolutionary and comparative cytogenetics, and to understand the role of chromosomal changes in the evolution of land plants.
Syllabus
  • 1. Genome size (GS) variation and evolution. C-value paradox. C-value enigma: genome obesity and downsizing. GS variation in the phylogenetic context.
  • 2. Chromatin, chromosome structure and "special" chromosomes. Repetitive DNA. Heterochromatin. Epigenetic modifications of heterochromatin. Centromeres. B chromosomes. Gametocidal chromosomes.
  • 3. Whole-genome duplications. Paleo-, meso- and neopolyploidy. Diploidization. Polyploidy and speciation.
  • 4. Meiosis and recombination. Chromosome pairing and segregation. Double-strand repair and misrepair.
  • 5. Chromosomal structural mutations (translocations, inversions etc.).
  • 6. Karyotype evolution. Mechanisms of karyotypic changes. Evolutionary trends in chromosome number variation.
  • 7. The role of chromosome rearrangements in speciation. Recombinational speciation model.
  • 8. Genome and chromosome synteny and collinearity.
  • 9. Comparative and evolutionary cytogenetics in the post-genomic era. Plant cytotaxonomy and phylogenomics.
  • 10. Molecular cytogenetic techniques.
Literature
  • LEVIN, Donald A. The role of chromosomal change in plant evolution. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002, vii, 230 s. ISBN 0-19-513859-7. info
Assessment methods
A written test and oral exam are required at the end of the course. Students might be ask to read some papers to get necassary background for a next lecture.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2007 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Autumn 2010 - only for the accreditation, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2011 - acreditation, Autumn 2012.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2008, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2008/Bi9020