Duration
20h Th
Number of credits
| Master in bio-informatics and modelling (120 ECTS) | 3 crédits | |||
| Master in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology (120 ECTS) | 3 crédits | |||
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS) | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Genomics is a discipline that focuses on the biology of genomes. It studies the structure, content and evolution of genomes, but also analyzes the expression and function of genes and proteins. It further entails a description of genomic variation which itself underlies phenotypic variation (e.g. diseases or environmental adaptation).
This discipline is booming thanks to recent technological innovations (high-throughput sequencing and genotyping). It requires the integration of many tools for the generation of large experimental datasets, their bioinformatic analysis, and their presentation in comprehensive databases. Genomics allows examining fundamental questions in biological research, and also applies to biomedical and environmental themes.
In this context, the course of Genomics will provide an historical overview of the discipline from its inception in the 90s to the ongoing technological revolution that began in the mid 2000s. The presented concepts will be illustrated by numerous examples both in human biology, and in plant and animal biology. The course will also provide a link between the molecular biology and genetics knowledge already acquired by the students and the Bioinformatics course (BIOL0008-1).
Table of Content
Chapter 1. What is a genome?
1. Content of a genome
2. Genome mapping
3. Genome projects
Chapter 2. Genome sequencing
1. Sequencing and assembly strategies
2. Sequencing technologies
3. Genome Annotation
Chapter 3. Genomic variation
1. Nature of variation
2. SNP discovery and genotyping
3. Applications of SNP Technology
Chapter 4. Comparative genomics
1. Introduction
2. In Animals
3. In Plants
Chapter 5. Genome and gene expression
1. The transcriptome
2. Epigenetics and gene regulation
Chapter 6. 'Omics' and Systems Biology
1. The other 'Omics'
2. Integrative genomics
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of the course, students will have acquired a basic understanding of the concepts and methodologies of genomics, which will enable them to deal with the pace of innovation and developments in this discipline, which occupies more space in all aspects of biology.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The concepts of genetics and molecular biology acquired at the end of the third year of BA in Biology are in principle sufficient to get onto the course.
Complementarities will be ensured with the Bioinformatics course (BIOL0008-1) also taught in the Master 1 BBMC.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course consists in oral presentations in a class room (or via an online platform if required depending on the covid-19 pandemic), with the active participation of students i.e. by solving small problems, discussing short illustrative videos or potential ethical issues raised by the advances in genomics.
Assistance to the course, and taking notes during the lecture as a complement to the slides, are strongly encouraged. The most important concepts to master will be specified during the presentations.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Additional information:
See french version
Recommended or required readings
The course is based on a reference book (G. Gibson and Muse SW, A primer of Genome Science, 2009, Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers) which is a recommended reading. This book is well illustrated and covers in detail the topics discussed during lectures. It will be accessible to students after each lecture and will be up for a bulk purchase if requested.
Other sources of information used to construct the lectures are referenced on the slides, and are generally available to ULg students on the web.
Moreover, the projected Powerpoint presentations will be available at the myULg portal after each lecture.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Additional information:
Oral examination, with prior written preparation, face-to-face. Understanding of the concepts and their application, as well as the ability of the student to integrate information contained in the various chapters will be evaluated.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Lectures of 90 minutes, organized the second semester.
Contacts
Prof. Marc Hanikenne
Plant Biology Institute, B22 (Sart-Tilman), room 2.12
Tel. 04/366.38.44
email: marc.hanikenne@uliege.be