Aneuploid individuals arising from improper chromosome segregation at meiosis are often inviable or severely compromised and disturbances of normal chromosomal events in somatic cells can lead to a variety of genetic diseases ranging from cancers to fragile X syndrome and muscular dystrophy. Other chromosomal phenomena include various forms of gene and chromosome silencing which play important roles in organismal development. In the last decade or so there has been a revolution in molecular cytogenetics and fluorescence microscopy techniques that allows us to explore chromosomes in unprecedented detail. These techniques, together with information derived from genetic analysis, molecular biological and biochemical experiments and from the various genome projects, have facilitated new insights into chromosomal processes. Topics covered in lectures include chromatin structure, essential chromosomal elements, control of chromosome segregation in mitosis and meiosis, chromosome evolution, genome organization and genomics, as well as biologically important epigenetic phenomena.
Tutorials involve discussions of classical and recent literature.
An Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 6th Edition.