Advanced Topics In Entomology (1) These seminar classes are a reading/small-group discussion class about current issues in entomology.
Gene Silencing
Term: Spring 2020, 1 credit
Instructor: Dr. Fang (Rose) Zhu
With recent advances in genomics and genetics, gene silencing techniques such as RNAi and CRISPR/Cas 9 are becoming increasingly used for functional genomics studies, transgenically modifying crops and disease vectors, as well as medical therapies. This seminar course will explore topics including mechanisms of gene silencing, comparison of RNAi and CRISPR, application of gene silencing in agriculture and medicine, experimental design for gene silencing with RNAi and CRISPR/Cas 9. Current literature discussion, hands-on lab experience, and guest lectures will supplement theme lectures.
Fundamentals of Evolutionary Genomics
Term: Spring 2020, 1 credit
Instructors: Chloe P. Drummond & Tanya Renner
Genome sequencing techniques are advancing rapidly and becoming increasingly accessible to scientists. The availability of genomic data for non-model organisms coupled with higher rates of generating new data have made studying organismal evolution at a genome-wide scale more realizable. These data are being used to answer questions in wide-ranging fields such as genomics, functional and structural genomics, transcriptomics, systematics, biochemistry, and ecology. Bioinformatic and statistical tools are improving to accommodate the wealth (and complexity) of data provided by genomes. The purpose of this course is two-fold: 1.) to survey the types of genomic data available and the questions scientists are answering with these data, and 2.) to leverage sample datasets to become comfortable handling large genomic datasets and gain hands-on experience with a variety of analytical techniques in evolutionary genomics.
