Genetic Analysis of Biodiversity
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: MARIA ANTONIETTA BUCCHERIExpected Learning Outcomes
The main objective of the course is to develop knowledge related to the following priority topics:
1. Neutralist theory as a basis for interpreting genetic variation;
2. Study and analysis of mutations as a measure of variability;
3. Acquisition of the main molecular techniques and experimental approaches appropriate for measuring genetic biodiversity.
Course Structure
Lectures; teaching laboratories.
Required Prerequisites
Mendelian genetics: genes, alleles, loci; segregation; linkage; recombination; mutations. Phenotype and genotype. Basis of individual and species-level variability.
Attendance of Lessons
According to the guidelines relating to the Degree Course.
Detailed Course Content
Textbook Information
John Maynard Smith, Evolutionary Genetics, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780198502319.
Scientific papers proposed by the Professor.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monitoring genetic diversity and conservation status of natural populations: strategies, molecular tools, and case studies. | Scientific papers. |
| 2 | Mutations and polymorphisms. Genetic markers. Heterozygosity and fixation index. Working with DNA in the laboratory: molecular techniques for marker analysis (restriction enzymes, Southern blotting, PCR, Sanger sequencing). | Scientific papers. |
| 3 | Linked loci. Linkage disequilibrium. Haplotypes and phasing. The chromosome as a patchwork. Analysis of genetic introgression to study gene flow in natural populations and assess the invasiveness of alien species. | Scientific papers. |
| 4 | Molecular clock. Slow-evolving and fast-evolving loci in evolutionary analysis. Neutralist and nearly neutralist theories. Mitochondrial haplotypes. Reconstruction of human evolution from genetic data. | Scientific papers. |
| 5 | Recombination, LOD score, and genetic map construction. Physical maps. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and applications in biodiversity analyses. | Scientific papers. |
| 6 | Quantitative traits. Heritability of polygenic traits. Artificial selection. Mapping quantitative traits. Marker-assisted selection. | Scientific papers. |
| 7 | Climate change. Genetic tools for monitoring natural populations in response to climate change and predictive models for their survival. Adaptations to extreme environments. | Scientific papers. |
| 8 | Second- and third-generation sequencing. Barcoding and biodiversity analysis: common loci and their applications to biological problems. Metabarcoding and environmental DNA analysis. | Scientific papers. |
| 9 | How mutations spread: selection, genetic drift, gene flow. Populations in equilibrium and the Hardy-Weinberg principle. Case studies of applications in monitoring natural populations. | Scientific papers. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The examination will consist of an oral test focusing on the analytical discussion of at least two research articles in English (excluding reviews) on topics related to genetic analysis of biodiversity, chosen by the student and not limited to the topics covered in the course.
The ability of elaborating theories based on experimental data and the ability to
express it analytically and synthetically will be assessed. Upon request, a traditional oral examination will be conducted with at least five different questions.Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Indices for measuring genetic variation; principles of NGS analysis; PCR in genetic analysis; linkage equilibrium and linkage disequilibrium; haplotype analysis. Other questions regarding the program will be asked depending on the articles presented by the candidate during the exams.