Bi9020 Evolutionary and comparative plant cytogenetics

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2012
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.
Supplier department: Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
Basics of cytogenetics and molecular biology.
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
there are 15 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course is providing an overview of 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, high-troughput 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 break 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
Teaching methods
lectures (Powerpoint presentation), class discussion
Assessment methods
The course is running throughout a semester or organized as a block of lectures spread over four to five days. A written test and/or an oral exam (according to the number or participants) has to be successfully filled in at the end of the course. Autumn 2009: student are supposed to attend the course by Prof. I. Schubert (IB013 Classical & Molecular Cytogenetics – Selected Topics).
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
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 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2011 - acreditation.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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