Syllabus
1 Introduction, DNA isolation, PCR and DNA sequencing, basics in sequence data handling (lecturer Zuzana Starostová)2 Next generation sequencing – introduction, short-read and long-read sequencing methods, assemblies (lecturer Radka Reifová)3 How to read and make phylogenetic trees (lecturer Zuzana Starostová)4 Use of molecular phylogetics in zoology (lecturer Zuzana Starostová)5 Molecular phylogeography (lecturer Pavel Hulva)6 Microsatellites and molecular identification of species, individuals and sex (lecturer Pavel Munclinger)7 Population structure and paternity studies (lecturer Pavel Munclinger)8 Next generation sequencing – applications: whole genome sequecing, exome sequencing, ddRAD sequencing, metagenomics (lecturer Radka Reifová)9 Gene expression – quantitative PCR, expression microarrays, transcriptome sequencing and analysis, epigenomics (lecturer Radka Reifová)10 Functional genetic variability: From SNP to selection (lecturer Michal Vinkler)11 Cytogenetic methods and their application in zoology (lecturer František Šťáhlavský) Practicals: Day 1: computers - database search and basic DNA sequence data handling Day 2: lab work - molecular method of sex determination in birds - DNA isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis
Annotation
Molecular markers and use of sophisticated cytogenetic techniques have opened new windows through which to view the natural biological world. This course aims to address basic and advanced applications of these genetic markers in resolving tasks of current zoology (e.g. population biology, organismal evolution, phylogeny or phylogeography). We will introduce various laboratory techniques for revealing molecular markers as well as several cytogenetic techniques and document their use in interesting zoological case studies. We will cover areas ranging from assessments of genetic parentage and kinship in the most recent generations to phylogenetic assessments in the animal tree of life, as well as studying ecology and life-history of species. We will show examples ranging from single gene studies to genomic approach. The course includes also two half days of practicals (lab and computers).
The first lecture will be on Tuesday February 14, 2023. Lectures are planned for Tuesdays at 1.10 PM (13:10) in the room B312 (3rd floor, Viničná 7). Study material can be found also on webpage: https://zuzanastarostova.webnode.cz/news/molecular-applications-in-zoology/.