COURSE OF STUDY
M. Sc. in MOLECULAR & HUMAN GENETICS
(Semester System)


Candidates who have passed B.Sc. or B. Sc. (Hons) or B. Sc. (Ag.) or M. B. B. S. from a recognized University or any other examination considered equivalent will be eligible for admission to M. Sc. course in Molecular & Human Genetics. The M. Sc. course shall be completed in FOUR semesters.

List of Core, Major Elective and Minor Electives and their Credits

CORE COURSES Theory Lab. Exercise
MHG C 101 Transmission Genetics
3 (MHG C 101 T) 1 (MHG C 101) L
MHG C 102 Basic Human Genetics 3 (MHG C 102 T) 1 (MHG C 102 L)
MHG C 103 Cell Biology 2.5 (MHG C 103 T) 1 (MHG C 103 L)
MHG C 104 Molecular Genetics I 2.5 (MHG C 104 T) 0.5 (MHG C 104L)
MHG C 105 DNA Technology & Genetic Engineering I 2.5 (MHG C 105 T) 1 (MHG C 105L)
MHG C 106 Biochemistry & Metabolic Disorders I 2 (MHG C 106 T) 1 (MHG C 106 L)
MHG C 107 Instrumentation 1.5 (MHG C 107 T) 0.5 (MHG C 107 L)
MHG C 208 Cytogenetics 3 (MHG C 208 T) 1 (MHG C 208 L)
MHG C 209 Molecular Genetics II 2.5 (MHG C 209 T) 1 (MHG C 209 L)
MHG C 210 DNA Technology & Genetic Engineering II 2.5 (MHG C 210 T) 1 (MHG C 210 L)
MHG C 211 Biochemistry & Metabolic Disorders II 2 (MHG C 211 T) 1 (MHG C 211 L)
MHG C 212 Model Genetic Systems 1 (MHG C 212 T) 0.5 (MHG C 212 L)
MHG C 213 Bioinformatics 1 (MHG C 213 T) 1 (MHG C 213 L)
MHG C 314 Human Molecular Genetics 3 (MHG C 314 T) 1 (MHG C 314 L)
MHG C 315 Developmental Genetics 3 (MHG C 315 T) 1 (MHG C 315 L)
MHG C 316 Behavioural Genetics 1.5 (MHG C 316 T) 0.5 (MHG C 316 L)
MHG C 317 Molecular Genetics of Human Pathogens 1 (MHG C 317 T) 0.5 (MHG C 317 L)
MHG C 418 Comprehensive Viva-voce   2 (MHG C 418 L)
TOTAL CREDITS 37.5 16.5
MAJOR ELECTIVES    
MHG MA 301 Clinical Genetics 3 (MHG MA 301 T) 1 (MHG MA 301 L)
MHG MA 302 Immunogenetics 2.5 (MHG MA 302 T) 0.5 (MHG MA 302 L)
MHG MA 303 Population & Evolutionary Genetics 2.5 (MHG MA 303 T)  
MHG MA 304 Genetic Counseling 1 (MHG MA 304 T) 0.5 (MHG MA 304 L)
MHG MA 405 Human Genome 3 (MHG MA 405 T) 1 (MHG MA 405 L)
MHG MA 406 Cancer Genetics 1.5 (MHG MA 406 T) 0.5 (MHG MA 406 L)
MHG MA 407 Clinical Assignments   4 (MHG MA 407 L)
MHG MA 408 Dissertation   6 (MHG MA 408 L)
TOTAL CREDITS 13.5 13.5
MINOR ELECTIVES    
Drosophila Genetics 2  
MHG MI 02 Stress Biology 2  
MHG MI 03 Reproductive Genetics 2  
MHG MI 04 Seminar 1.5  
MHG MI 05 Formulation of a Research Proposal 1.5  
TOTAL CREDITS 9  

(Note: The laboratory exercises will be based on respective theory courses)


M. Sc. in MOLECULAR & HUMAN GENETICS
Distribution of Courses in different Semesters

SEMESTER I

CORE (23) Theory Lab. Exercise
MHG C 101 Transmission Genetics 3 1
MHG C 102 Basic Human Genetics 3 1
MHG C 103 Cell Biology 2.5 1
MHG C 104 Molecular Genetics I 2.5 0.5
MHG C 105 DNA Technology & Genetic Engineering I 2.5 1
MHG C 106 Biochemistry & Metabolic Disorders I 2 1
MHG C 107 Instrumentation 1.5 0.5
Total 17 6=23

SEMESTER II

CORE (17.5) Theory Lab. Exercise
MHG C 208 Cytogenetics 3 1
MHG C 209 Molecular Genetics II 2.5 1
MHG C 210 DNA Technology & Genetic Engineering II 2.5 1
MHG C 211 Biochemistry & Metabolic Disorders II 2 1
MHG C 212 Model Genetic Systems 1 0.5
MHG C 213 Bioinformatics 1 1
Minor Electives 4 -
Total 16 5.5=21.5

SEMESTER III

CORE (11.5) Theory Lab. Exercise
MHG C 314 Human Molecular Genetics 3 1
MHG C 315 Developmental Genetics 3 1
MHG C 316 Behavioural Genetics 1.5 0.5
MHG C 317 Molecular Genetics of Human Pathogens II 1 0.5
MAJOR ELECTIVES (11)    
MHG MA 301 Clinical Genetics 3 1
MHG MA 302 Immunogenetics 2.5 0.5
MHG MA 303 Population & Evolutionary Genetics 2.5 -
MHG MA 304 Genetic Counseling 1 0.5
Total 17.5 5=22.5

SEMESTER IV

CORE (2) Theory Lab. Exercise
MHG C 418 Comprehensive Viva-voce   2
MAJOR ELECTIVES (16)    
MHG MA 405 Human Genome 3 1
MHG MA 406 Cancer Genetics 1.5 0.5
MHG MA 407 Clinical Assignments - 4
MHG MA 408 Dissertation - 6
MINOR ELECTIVES 5 -
Total 9.5 13.5 = 23
MINOR ELECTIVES    
MHG MI 01 Techniques in Drosophila Genetics 2  
MHG MI 01 Techniques in Drosophila Genetics 2  
MHG MI 02 Stress Biology 2  
MHG MI 03 Reproductive Genetics 2  
MHG MI 04 Seminar 1.5  
MHG MI 05 Formulation of a Research Proposal 1.5  

CORE COURSES

COURSE MHG C 101: Transmission Genetics (3 + 1 Credits)

1 Introduction to Genetics 1
2 Mendelism 9
  2.1 Mendel and his experiments
2.2 Law of segregation
2.3 Law of independent assortment
2.4 Application of laws of probability (product rule, sum rule)
2.5 Chromosomal basis of segregation and independent assortment
 
3 Chi-square test and its application in analysis of genetic data 1
4 Extensions of Mendelism 9
  4.1 Allelic variation and gene function- Dominance relationships, basis of dominant and recessive mutations
4.2 Multiple allelism, allelic series
4.3 Testing gene mutations for allelism: complementation test, intragenic complementation
4.4 Visible, sterile and lethal mutations
4.5 Genotype to phenotype: effect of the environment on phenotype development- Penetrance and expressivity, phenocopy
4.6 Gene interactions and modifying genes
4.7 Pleiotropy
 
5 Sex-linked inheritance, Linkage and crossing over 10
  5.1 Genetic recombination and construction of genetic maps in Drosophila
5.2 Interference and coincidence
5.3 Cytological demonstration of crossing over in Drosophila
5.4 Mitotic recombination
5.5 Intragenic recombination
 
6 Inheritance of quantitative traits 6
  6.1 Continuous and discontinuous variation
6.2 Polygenic inheritance
6.3 Genetic variance, heritability (narrow sense and broad sense)
 
7 Cytoplasmic inheritance, maternal effects, inheritance due to parasites and symbionts 3

Recommended Books
1 Atherly et al
The Science of Genetics
Saunders
1999
2 Brooker
Genetics – Analysis and Principles
Benjamin/Cumings
1999
3 Fairbanks et al
Genetics
Wadsworth
1999
4 Gardner et al
Principles of Genetics
John Wiley
1991
5 Griffiths et al
Modern genetic Analysis
Freeman
2002
6 Griffiths et al
An Introduction to Genetic Analysis
Freeman
2004
7 Hartl and Jones
Genetics – Principles and Analysis
Jones & Bartlett
1998
8 Snustad et al
Principles of Genetics
Wiley and sons
1998
9 Strickberger
Genetics
Mcmillan
1985
10 Tamarin
Principles of Genetics
WCB
1996

COURSE MHG C 102: Basic Human Genetics (3 + 1 Credits)

1 History of Human Genetics 1
2 Pedigrees- gathering family history, pedigree symbols, construction of pedigrees, presentation of molecular genetic data in pedigrees 1
3 Monogenic traits 12
  3.1 Autosomal inheritance-dominant, recessive
3.2 Sex-linked inheritance
3.3 Sex-limited and sex-influenced traits
3.4 Mitochondrial inheritance
3.5 MIM number
3.6 Complications to the basic pedigree patterns- nonpenetrance, variable expressivity, pleiotropy, late onset, dominance problems, anticipation, genetic heterogeneity, genomic imprinting and uniparental disomy, spontaneous mutations, mosaicism and chimerism, male lethality, X-inactivation
3.7 Risk assessment; application of Bayes’ theorem
3.8 Allele frequency in population
3.9 Consanguinity and its effects
 
4 Complex traits 10
  4.1 Approaches to analysis of complex traits- ‘Nature vs nurture’, role of family and shared environment, monozygotic and dizygotic twins and adoption studies
4.2 Polygenic inheritance of continuous (quantitative) traits, normal growth charts, Dysmorphology
4.3 Polygenic inheritance of discontinuous (dichotomous) traits- threshold model, liability and recurrence risk
4.4 Genetic susceptibility in multifactorial disorders (alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, obesity)
4.5 Estimation of genetic components of multifactorial traits: empiric risk, heritability, coefficient of relationship
 
5 Human cytogenetics 10
  5.1 Techniques in human chromosome analysis (including molecular techniques)
5.2 Human karyotype: banding, nomenclature of banding
5.3 Pathology of human chromosomes
5.4 Nomenclature of aberrant karyotypes
5.5 Common syndromes due to numerical chromosome changes
5.6 Common syndromes due to structural alterations (translocations, duplications, deletions, microdeletion, fragile sites)
5.7 Common chromosome abnormalities in cancer
5.8 Genetics of fetal wastage
 
6 Pharmacogenetics and ecogenetics, teratogenetics 5

Recommended Books
1 Connor & Smith
Essentials of Medical Genetics
Blackwell
1993
2 Davies
Human Genetic Disease Analysis
IRL
1993
3 Emery and Mueller
Elements of Medical Genetics
ELBS
1992
4 Gersen & Keagle
The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics
Humana
1999
5 Jorde et al
Medical Genetics
Elsevier
1998
6 Korf
Human Genetics
Blackwell
1996
7 Lewis
Human Genetics
WCB
1999
8 Mange and Mange
Basic Human Genetics
Sinauer Assoc
1999
9 Maroni
Molecular and Genetic Analysis of Human Traits
Blackwell 2001
10 Nussbaum et al
Genetics in Medicine
Saunders
2001
11 Pasternak
An Introduction to Molecular Human Genetics
Fritzgarald
2000
12 Prichard & Korf
Medical Genetics at a glance
Blackwell
2004
13 Strachan and Read
Human Molecular Genetics
Wiley
1999
14 Vogel and Motulsky
Human Genetics
Springer 1997

COURSE MHG C 103: Cell Biology (2.5 + 1 Credits)

1 Plasma Membrane: Fluid mosaic model, structure of membrane, transport across membrane and mechanisms of endocytosis and exocytosis 4
2 Endomembrane system 5
  2.1. General organization of protein transport within and outside the cell
2.2. Protein sorting and secretion
2.3. Mechanism of intracellular digestion
 
3 Cytoskeleton 4
  3.1. Microfilaments: Structural organization, cell motility and cell shape
3.2. Microtubule: Structural and functional organization, cilia, flagella, centriole
3.3. Intermediate filaments
 
4 Mitochondria 10
  4.1 Ultrastructure
4.2 Chemiosmotic theory and respiratory chain complexes
 
5 Structure and function of peroxisome 1
6 Structure and biosynthesis of ribosome 2
7 Cell cycle and its regulation 2
8 Cell-Cell Interaction 5
  8.1. Cell adhesion molecules
8.2. Cellular junctions
8.3. Extracellular matrix
 
9 Signal transduction 5
  9.1. Intracellular receptor and cell surface receptors
9.2. Signalling via G-protein linked receptors (PKA, PKC, CaM kinase)
9.3. Enzyme linked receptor signaling (Growth factor receptor signaling; JACK-STAT pathway)
9.4. Network and cross-talk between different signal mechanisms
 
10 Programmed cell death 1

Recommended Books
1 Alberts et al
Essential Cell Biology
Garland
1998
2 Alberts et al Molecular Biology of the Cell Garland
2002
3 Cooper
The Cell: A molecular Approach
ASM Press
2000
4 Gilbert
Developmental Biology
Saunders
2003
5 Jeremy et al
Biochemistry
Freeman
2002
6 Karp
Cell and Molecular Biology
John Wiley
2002
7 Lewin
Genes VIII
Pearson
2004
8 Lodish et al
Molecular Cell Biology
Freeman
2004
9 Pollard &Earnshaw Cell Biology
Saunders
2002
10 Tobin and Morcel
Asking about Cells
Saunders
1997
11 Wilson & Hunt
The Cell: A Problems Approach
Garland
2002

COURSE MHG C 104: Molecular Genetics I (2.5 + 0.5 Credits)

1 Properties and evolution of genetic material, flow of genetic information 2
2 Organization of viral and bacterial genomes  
3 Eukaryotic genome 5
  3.1 C-value paradox
3.2 Repetitive DNA
3.3 General concept of a gene
3.4 Gene families
3.5 Non-coding genes
 
4 Replication in bacterial and eukaryotic chromosomes 5
  4.1 DNA polymerases
4.2 Replicons, origin and termination
4.3 Replisome
4.4 Genes controlling replication
 
5 Transcription 5
  5.1 Prokaryotic RNA polymerase, sigma factors, initiation and termination
5.2 Eukaryotic RNA polymerases and their promoters
5.3 Processing of transcripts
 
6 Translation 2
  6.1 General mechanism
6.2 Role of rRNA in translation
 
7 Regulation of gene expression 11
  7.1. Regulation of transcription initiation  
    7.1.1. Operon and regulon
7.1.2. Positive and negative regulation
7.1.3. Enhancers and promoters
7.1.4. Transcription factors: types, DNA binding motifs
 
  7.2. Regulation by attenuation and anti-termination  
  7.3. Post transcriptional regulation  
    7.3.1. Alternative splicing
7.3.2. Transport and targeting of RNA
7.3.3. Post-transcriptional gene silencing
 
  7.4. Translational control and targeting of proteins
7.5. Mechanism of steroid hormone and stress induced gene expressions
 

Recommended Books
1 Alberts et al
The Science of Genetics
Saunders 1999
2 Benjamin
Genetics: A Conceptual Approach
Freeman
2003
3 Berg and Singer
Genes and Genome
  1998
4 Black
Microbiology: Principles and Explorations
Wiley
2002
5 Dale & Schartz
From genes to Genome
Wiley & Sons 2003
6 Griffiths et al
Modern Genetic Analysis
Freeman 2002
7 Griffiths et al An Introduction to Genetic Analysis
Freeman 2004
8 Hartl et al
Essential Genetics
Wiley & Sons
2002
9 Klug & Cummings
Essentials of Genetics Prentice Hall
2003
10 Latchman
Gene Regulation
Chapman & Hall
1995
11 Lewin
Genes VIII
Pearson
2004
12 Maloy and Freifelder
Microbial Genetics
Jones and Barlett
1994
13 Meesfeld
Applied Molecular Genetics
Wiley-Liss
1999
14 Ptashne
Genetic Switch
Blackwell
1986
15 Russell
Genetics
Benjamin
2002
16 Streips & Yasbin
Modern Microbial Genetics
Wiley
2002
17 Trun & Trempy
Fundamentals of Bacterial Genetics
Blackwell
2004
18 Watson et al
Molecular Biology of the Gene
Pearson
2004

COURSE MHG C 105: DNA Technology & Genetic Engineering I (2.5 + 1 Credits)

1 Enzymes used in DNA technology 4
  1.1 Restriction and modification enzymes
1.2 Other nucleases
1.3 Polymerases
1.4 Ligase, kinases and phosphatases
 
2 Nucleic acids 4
  2.1 Isolation and purification of DNA (genomic and plasmid) and RNA
2.2 Gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids (denaturing and native)
2.3 Pulse-field gel electrophoresis of DNA
 
3 Cloning vectors 7
  3.1 Plasmids
3.2 Phages
3.3 Cosmids
3.4 Artificial chromosomes
3.5 Shuttle vectors
3.6 Expression vectors
 
4 Cloning techniques 5
  4.1 Construction of genomic and cDNA libraries
4.2 Positional cloning: RFLP mapping, chromosome walking and jumping
 
5 Screening and characterization of clones 12
  5.1 Preparation of probes
5.2 Restriction mapping
5.3 Principles of hybridizations and hybridization based techniques (colony, plaque, Southern, Northern and in situ hybridizations)
5.4 Expression based screening
5.5 Interaction based screening: yeast two-hybrid system
 

Recommended Books
1 Ausubel et al
Short Protocols in Molecular Biology
Wiley
2002
2 Brown
Essential Molecular Biology VI
AP
2000
3 Brown Essential Molecular Biology VII
AP
2000
4 Brown Gene Cloning - An Introduction Stanley Thornes 1995
5 Glick and Pasternak Molecular Biotechnology ASM Press 1998
6 Kracher Molecular Biology - A Practical Approach    
7 Krenzer and Massey Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology ASM 2000
8 Micklos and Freyer DNA Science CSHL 1990
9 Primrose Molecular Biotechnology Panima 2001
10 Robertson et al Manipulation & Expression of Recombinant DNA AP 1997
11 Sambrook et al Molecular Cloning CSHL 2001
12 Twyman Advanced Molecular Biology Viva 1999
13 Watson et al Recombinant DNA Freeman 1992

COURSE MHG C 106: Biochemistry & Metabolic Disorders I (2 + 1 Credits)

1 Amino acids and peptides 6
  1.1. Essential and non-essential amino acids
1.2. Amino acids related disorders
1.3. Small peptides and their biomedical importance
 
2 Proteins 4
  2.1. Structure-conformation-function relationship (exemplified by Myoglobin, Hemoglobin, and Collagen)
2.2. Protein degradation
 
3 Enzymes 8
  3.1. General properties
3.2. Kinetics: derivation of Michaelis-Menten equation, L-B plot
3.3. Enzyme inhibition
3.4. Mechanism of action
3.5. Regulation of enzyme activity
 
4 Carbohydrates 8
  4.1. Mucopolysaccharides and related disorders
4.2. Glycolysis
4.3. Krebs cycle
4.4. Gluconeogenesis
4.5. Glycogenesis and glycogenolysis,
4.6. Disorders of glycogen metabolism
 

Recommended Books
1 Berg et al Biochemistry Freeman
2002
2 Bhagwan Medical Biochemistry AP 2004
3 Devlin Biochemistry for the Molecular Sciences Wiley 2002
4 Higgins et al Biochemistry for the Molecular Sciences Longman 1994
5 Murray et al Harpers Illustrated Biochemistry Prentice Hall 2003
6 Nelson et al Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry McMillan 2000
7 Voet & Voet Biochemistry Vol. 1 and 2 Wiley
2004
8 Zubay et al Principles of Biochemistry WCB 1995

COURSE MHG C 107: Instrumentation (1.5 + 0.5 Credits)

1 Basic knowledge of principles and applications of the following microscopy techniques 10
  1.1. Light Microscopy
1.2. Dark-field Microscopy
1.3. Phase-contrast Microscopy
1.4. Fluorescence Microscopy
1.5. Confocal Microscopy
1.6. Electron Microscopy
1.7. Photography, Digital imaging and image Processing
 
2 Biochemical and biophysical techniques 10
  2.1. Centrifugation: types of rotors, clinical, highspeed and ultracentrifuges
2.2. Colorimetry and spectrophotometry: Beer-Lambert law; absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, introduction to mass spectrometry
2.3. Chromatography: Paper, Thin layer chromatography; Columns: ion-exchange, gel-filteration, HPLC and affinity columns, electrophoresis
2.4. Tracer techniques: Properties and units of radioactivity; half-life; measurement of radioactivity by GM counter, liquid scintillation counter; autoradiography Radio-immunoassay; safety rules in handling of radioisotopes and hazardous chemicals
 

Recommended Books
1 Alberts et al
Essential Cell Biology
Garland
1998
2 Alberts et al
Molecular Biology of The Cell
Garland 2002
3 Boney
Cell Biology Level II
Macdonald & Evans
1982
4 Boyer
Modern Experimental Biochemistry
Benjamin
1993
5 Clark & Switzer
Experimental Biochemistry
Freeman
2000
6 Freifelder
Physical Biochemistry
Freeman
1987
7 Karp
Cell and Molecular Biology
John Wiley
2002
8 Locquin and Langeron
Handbook of Microscopy
Butterwaths
1983
9 Tobin and Morcel
Asking about Cells
Saunders
1997

COURSE MHG C 208: Cytogenetics (3 + 1 Credits)

1 Chromatin structure 4
  1.1. Histones, DNA
1.2. Nucleosome and higher level organisation
 
2 Chromosome organisation 8
  2.1. Metaphase chromosome: centromere and kinetochore, telomere and its maintenance; Holocentric chromosomes and supernumerary chromosomes
2.2. Chromosomal domains (matrix, loop domains) and their functional significance
2.3. Heterochromatin and euchromatin, position effect variegation, boundary elements
2.4. Chromosome bandings
 
3 Functional states of chromatin and alterations in chromatin organization 3
4 Structural and functional organization of interphase nucleus 2
5 Giant chromosomes 4
  5.1 Polytene chromosomes
5.2 Lampbrush chromosomes
 
6 Mitosis 3
  6.1. Mitotic spindle and arrangement of chromosomes on equator
6.2. Regulation of exit from metaphase
6.3. Chromosome movement at anaphase
 
7 Meiosis 5
  7.1 Overview of the process
7.2 Meiosis specific cellular changes
7.3 Genetic control of meiosis (example: yeast)
 
8 Chromosomal anomalies 5
  8.1 Numerical
8.2 Structural
8.3 Meiosis in inversion and translocation heterozygotes; breakage-fusion-bridge cycles
8.4 Induced chromosomal aberrations in somatic cells
8.5 Sister chromatid exchanges and somatic crossing over
 
9 Dosage compensation in Caenorhabditis, Drosophila and mammals 5

Recommended Books
1 Alberts et al Essential Cell Biology Garland 1998
2 Alberts et al Molecular Biology of The Cell Garland 2002
3 Bostoc and Sumner The Eukaryotic Chromosome Elsevier 1980
4 Hamsew and Flavell The Chromosome Bios 1993
5 Hawley & Walker Advanced Genetic Analysis Blackwell 2003
6 Hennig Structure & Function of Eukaryotic Chromosomes
Springer 1987
7 Lewin Genes VIII Pearson 2004
8 Lodish et al Molecular Cell Biology Freeman 2004
9 Obe and Natarajan Chromosome aberrations - Basic and Applied Aspects Springer 1990
10 Risley Chromosome Structure and Function Reinhold 1985
11 Rooney & Czepulkowski Human Cytogenetics – A Practical Approach IRL 1987
12 Sumner Chromosomes Blackwell  

COURSE MHG C 209: Molecular Genetics II (2.5 + 1 Credits)

1 Gene mapping in bacteria 7
  1.1. Transformation
1.2. Conjugation
1.3. Transduction
1.4. Sexduction
 
2 Recombination, deletion and complementation mapping in T4 phage (rII locus) 3
3 Mutagenesis & DNA repair 10
  3.1. Endogenous and exogenous origins of DNA damage
3.2. Types of DNA damage
3.3. DNA repair pathways
3.4. Error-prone repair and mutagenesis
3.5. Damage signaling and checkpoint arrest
3.6. Types of mutations and nomenclature
3.7. Detection and isolation of mutations
 
4 Recombination 12
  4.1. Homologous recombination: models and molecular mechanisms
4.2. Gene conversion: molecular mechanisms
4.3. Site specific recombination
4.4. Transposons and transposition mechanisms
 

Recommended Books
1 Alberts et al The Science of Genetics
Saunders
1999
2 Benjamin Genetics: A Conceptual Approach Freeman 2003
3 Berg and Singer Genes and Genome   1998
4 Black Microbiology: Principles & Explorations Wiley 2002
5 Dale & Schartz From genes to Genome Wiley & Sons 2003
6 Griffiths et al Modern Genetic Analysis Freeman 2002
7 Griffiths et al An Introduction to Genetic Analysis Freeman 2004
8 Hartl et al Essential Genetics Wiley & Sons 2002
9 Klug & Cummings Essentials of Genetics Prentice Hall 2003
10 Latchman Gene Regulation Chapman 1995
11 Lewin Genes VIII Pearson 2004
12 Lindahl & West DNA Repair and Recombination Chapman 1996
13 Maloy and Freifelder Microbial Genetics Jones and Barlett 1994
14 Meesfeld Applied Molecular Genetics Wiley-Liss 1999
15 Nickoloff & Hockstra DNA Damage and Repair Humana 2001
16 Streips & Yasbin Modern Microbial Genetics Wiley 2002
17 Trun & Trempy Fundamentals of Bacterial Genetics Blackwell 2004
18 Watson et al Molecular Biology of the Gene Pearson 2004

COURSE MHG C 210: DNA Technology & Genetic Engineering II (2.5 + 1 Credits)

1 S1 nuclease and RNase mapping 1
2 DNA sequencing 2
3 Oligonucleotide synthesis 1
4 Polymerase Chain Reaction and its application 3
5 Microarray technology 2
6 ELISA, western and south-western blotting 2
7 Promoter characterization: promoter analysis through reporter genes, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, DNA foot-printing 2
8 DNA fingerprinting 1
9 Mutagenesis 4
  9.1. Site directed mutagenesis
9.2. Transposon mutagenesis
9.3. Construction of knock-out mutants
 
10 Gene transfer techniques 5
  10.1 Electroporation and microinjection
10.2 Transfection of cells: Principles and methods
10.3 Germ line transformation in Drosophila and transgenic mice: Strategies and methods
 
11 Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology 9
  11.1 Crop and live-stock improvement
11.2 Molecular genetic analysis of human diseases
11.3 Gene therapy: somatic and germ line gene therapy
11.4 DNA drugs and vaccines
11.5 Bio safety and ethical considerations
 

Recommended Books
1 Ausubel et al
Short Protocols in Molecular Biology
Wiley
2002
2 Brown
Essential Molecular Biology VI
AP
2000
3 Brown
Essential Molecular Biology VII
AP
2000
4 Brown
Gene Cloning - An Introduction
Stanley Thornas
1995
5 Glick & Pasternak
Molecular Biotechnology
ASM Press
1998
6 Kracher
Molecular Biology - A Practical Approach
   
7 Krenzer & Massey
Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology
ASM
2000
8 Micklos & Freyer
DNA Science
CSHL
1990
9 Primrose
Molecular Biotechnology
Panima
2001
10 Reischel
Molecular Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases
Humana
1998
11 Robertson et al
Manipulation & Expression of Recombinant DNA
AP
1997
12 Sambrook et al
Molecular Cloning
CSHL
2001
13 Twyman
Advanced Molecular Biology
Viva
1999
14 Watson et al
Recombinant DNA
Freeman
1992

COURSE MHG C 211: Biochemistry & Metabolic Disorders II (2 + 1 Credits)

1 Lipids 8
  1.1.Fatty acids: synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids
1.2.Ketogenesis
1.3.Metabolism of cholesterol
1.4.Lipoproteins: role in lipid transport and storage
1.5.Prostaglandins: structure and function
 
2 Bioenergetics 5
  2.1. Second law of thermodynamics
2.2. High energy compounds
2.3. Oxidative phosphorylation
 
3 Hormones 3
  3.1.Characteristics
3.2.Mechanism of action of peptide and steroid hormones
3.3.Hormone receptors and diseases
 
4 Structure and function of water- and lipid-soluble vitamins 2
5 Nucleic Acids: structure and conformations 3
6 Nucleotide Metabolism 5
  6.1. Synthesis and degradation of pyrimidine and purine nucleotides
6.2. Disorders of nucleotide metabolism
 

Recommended Books
1 Berg et al
Biochemistry
Freeman
2002
2 Bhagwan
Medical Biochemistry
AP
2004
3 Devlin Biochemistry: with clinical correlations Wiley 2002
4 Higgins et al
Biochemistry for the Molecular Sciences
Longman
1994
5 Murray et al
Harpers Illustrated Biochemistry
Prentice Hall Int
2003
6 Nelson et al
Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry
McMillan
2000
7 Voet & Voet
Biochemistry Vol. 1 and 2
Wiley
2004
8 Zubay et al
Principles of Biochemistry
WCB
1995

COURSE MHG C 212: Model Genetic Systems (1 + 0.5 Credits)

1 Life cycles and advantages of the following organisms commonly used in genetic studies 11
  1.1 T4 and l phages
1.2 Neurospora
1.3 E.coli
1.4 Saccharomyces cerevisea and Schizosaccharomyces pombe
1.5 Caenorhabditis
1.6 Drosophila
1.7 Zebra fish
1.8 Mouse
 
2 Conventions of nomenclature of genes and gene products in different model systems 5

Recommended Books
1 Ashburner
Drosophila - A Laboratory Handbook
CSHL Press
1989
2 Demerec & Kaufmann
Drosophila Guide
Carnegie
1965
3 Hood
The Nematode: C. elegans
CSHL
1998
4 Trends in Genetics
Genetic Nomenclature Guide
Elsevier
1998

COURSE MHG C 213: Bioinformatics (1 + 1 Credits)

1 Basics of computers (CPU, I/O units) and operating systems 1
2 Introduction and scope of Bioinformatics 1
3 Computer networking 2
  3.1. Internet and E-mail
3.2. Concept of home pages and web-sites
3.3. World Wide Web, Uniform Resource Locators
 
4 Archiving and retrieval of information 6
  4.1. Search engines
4.2. Data bases
 
    4.2.1.Nucleic acid sequences
4.2.2.Genomes
4.2.3.Protein sequence and structures
4.2.4.Bibliogaphic
 
  4.3. Access to molecular biology data bases  
    4.3.1.Entrez
4.3.2.Sequence retrieval system (SRS)
4.3.3.Protein identfication resource (PIR)
 
5 Sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees 3

Recommended Books
1 Attwood & Parry-Smith
Introduction to Bioinformatics
Pearson
2002
2 Barnes & Gray (ed)
Bioinformatics for Geneticists Wiley
2003
3 Lesk
Introduction to Bioinformatics
Oxford
2003
4 Mount Bioinformatics: Sequence and Genome Analysis CBS 2003
5 Rashidi & Buchler
Bioinformatics Basics
CRC Press
2000
6 Rastogi et al
Bioinformatics: Concepts, Skills and Applications
CBS
2003
7 Westhead et al
Bioinformatics Instant Notes
Viva Books
2003

COURSE MHG C 314: Human Molecular Genetics (3 + 1 Credits)

1 Genetic mapping of Mendelian traits 6
  1.1. Identifying recombinants and nonrecombinants in pedigrees
1.2. Genetic and physical map distances
1.3. Genetic markers
1.4. Two-point mapping- LOD score analysis
1.5. Multipoint mapping
1.6. Homozygosity mapping
 
2 Genetic mapping of complex traits 6
  2.1. Difficulties in mapping complex traits
2.2. Allele sharing methods- Affected sib pair analysis
2.3. Allelic association, Linkage disequilibrium mapping, Transmission disequilibrium test
 
3 Physical mapping methods 6
  3.1. Low resolution mapping- Cell hybrids, mini- and microcells, synteny of genes, Radiation hybrid mapping
3.2. Assembly of clone contigs
3.3. Identifying genes in cloned DNA
3.4. Integration of cytogenetic, genetic and physical maps
 
4 Identifying human disease genes 6
  4.1. Principles and strategies
4.2. Position-independent and positional cloning. Candidate gene approaches
4.3. Confirming a candidate gene- mutation screening, testing in animal models
 
5 Molecular pathology 7
  5.1. Nomenclature of mutations and their databases
5.2. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations in diseases
5.3. Instability of the human genome: Pathogenicity associated with repeat sequences
 
6 DNA testing 8
  6.1. Direct testing  
    6.1.1.Screening for unknown mutations
6.1.2.Detection of known mutations
 
  6.2. Indirect testing – gene tracking
6.3. DNA profiling: establishing identity and relationships
6.4. Population screening - ethics, organization and advantages
 

Recommended Books
1 Davies
Human Genetic Disease Analysis
IRL
1993
2 Haines & Pericak
Approaches to Gene Mapping in Complex Human Diseases
Wiley
1998
3 Nussbaum et al
Genetics in Medicine
Saunders
2001
4 Pasternak
An Introduction to Molecular Human Genetics
Fritzgerald
2000
5 Rimoin et al
Principles & Practice of Medical Genetics, Vol I-III
Churchill
2002
6 Strachan & Read
Human Molecular Genetics
Wiley
1999
7 Sudbery
Human Molecular Genetics
Prentice-Hall
2002

COURSE MHG C 315: Developmental Genetics (3 + 1 Credits)

1 Early development 5
  1.1 Fertilization
1.2 Types of cleavage
1.3 Gastrulation: Cell movement and formation of germ layers in frog, chick and mouse
1.4 Concept of determination, competence and differentiation
 
2 Development of vertebrate nervous system 5
  2.1 Formation of neural tube
2.2 Formation of brain regions
2.3 Tissue architecture of the central nervous system
 
3 Genetics of pattern formation 12
  3.1 Caenorhabditis: Vulva formation
3.2 Drosophila
 
    3.2.1 Maternal genes and formation of body axes
3.2.2 Segmentation genes
3.2.3 Homeotic genes function
3.2.4 Imaginal disc development
 
  3.3 Vertebrates  
    3.3.1 Axes formation and HOX genes
3.3.2 limb formation in chick
 
4 Programmed rearrangements in genes 4
  4.1 Chromatin diminution
4.2 Endoreplication cycles
4.3 Gene amplification
 
5 Genome imprinting 1
6 Genetic determination of sex in Caenorhabditis, Drosophila and mammals 3
7 Regeneration 1
8 Senescence 1
9 Embryonic stem cells and their applications 2
10 Clinical embryology 6
  10.1 Differentiation of germ cells and gametogenesis
10.2 Fertilization and implantation
10.3 Stages of human embryonic development
10.4 Congenital malformations and teratogenesis
10.5 Reproductive failure and infertility and assisted reproduction
 

Recommended Books
1 Alberts et al
Molecular Biology of The Cell
Garland
2002
2 Gilbert
Developmental Biology
Sinauer
2003
3 Kalthoff
Analysis of Biological Development
McGraw Hill
1996
4 Lewin
Genes VIII
Pearson
2004
5 Monk
Mammalian Development – A Practical Approach
IRL
1987
6 O'Rahilly and Muller Human Embryology and Teratology
Wiley
1992
7 Rana
Human Embryology Made Easy
Harwood
1998
8 Wolpert
Principles of Development
Oxford
2002

COURSE MHG C 316: Behavioural Genetics (1.5 + 0.5 Credit)

1 Nature-nurture and behaviour 5
  1.1 Genetic experiments to investigate animal behaviour  
    1.1.1 Selection studies
1.1.2 Inbred strain studies
 
  1.2 Identifying genes for behavior  
  1.2.1 Induced mutations
1.2.2 Quantitative trait loci
1.2.3 Synteny homology
  1.3 Investigating the genetics of human behaviour  
    1.3.1 Twin and adoption study designs, interpreting heritability
1.3.2 Linkage and association studies
 
  1.4 Environmental influence- shared and non-shared environment  
2 Neurogenetics 4
  2.1 Study designs: genetic and environmental manipulations
2.2 Circadian rhythms
2.3 Learning and memory
 
3 Cognitive disabilities 4
  3.1 Mental retardation
3.2 Learning disorders, Communication disorders, Dementia
 
4 Psychopathology 5
  4.1 Schizophrenia
4.2 Mood disorders
4.3 Anxiety disorders
4.4 Disorders of childhood
 
5 Personality and personality disorders- antisocial personality, criminal behaviour 2

Recommended Books
1 Kaplan and Sadock Synopsis of Psychiatry
Williams & Wilkins
1998
2 Plomin et al
Behavioral Genetics
Freeman 2001

COURSE MHG C 317: Molecular Genetics of Human Pathogens (1+0.5 Credits)

1 Host-pathogen interaction, evolution of pathogenecity and regulation of virulence 2
2 Mechanism of drug resistance in pathogens 2
3 Molecular biology of following pathogens: HIV, Hepatitis viruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Vibrio cholerae, Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Entamoeba 8
4 Molecular mechanisms for origin of new pathogens 1

Recommended Books
1 Heritage et al Introductory Microbiology
Cambridge Univ.
1996
2 Madigen et al Biology of Microorganisms
Prentice Hall
1997
3 Nesler et al
Microbiology-A Human Perspective
WCB
1995
4 Pelczar et al
Microbiology
Tata 1993
5 Prescott et al
Microbiology
WCB
1999
6 Reischel
Molecular Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases Humana
1998
7 Streips & Yasbin
Modern Microbial Genetics
Wiley 2002
8 Trun & Trumpy
Fundamentals of Bacterial Genetics
Blackwell
2004
9 Volk et al
Essentials of Medical Microbiology
Lippincott & Co
1991
10 Black
Microbiology: Principles & Explorations
Wiley 2002

COURSE MHG C 418: Comprehensive Viva-voce (2 Credits)

Each student will have a comprehensive via-voce examination in Semester IV covering the entire course (Semester I through Semester IV)

MAJOR ELECTIVES

COURSE MHG MA 301: Clinical Genetics (3 + 1 Credits)

1 An overview of the genetic basis of syndromes and disorders 1
2 Monogenic diseases with well known molecular pathology
2.1.Cystic fibrosis
2.2.Tay-Sachs syndrome
2.3. Marfan syndrome
4
3 Inborn errors of metabolism and their genetic bases
3.1. Phenylketonuria
3.2. Maple syrup urine syndrome
3.3. Mucopolysaccharidosis
3.4. Galactosemia
4
4 Genome imprinting Syndromes: Prader-Willi & Angelman syndromes, Beckwith-Wiedeman Syndrome 2
5 Genomic syndromes: Neurofibromatosis I 1
6 Neurogenetic disorders
5.1 Major regions of human brain and nerve conduction
5.2 Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy
5.3 Syndromes due to triplet nucleotide expansion
5.4 Alzheimer’s disease
6
7 Muscle genetic disorders
6.1 Dystrophies (Duchenne Muscular dytstrophy and Becker Muscular Dystrophy)
6.2 Myotonias
6.3 Myopathies
3
8 Genetic disorders of Haemopoitic systems
7.1 Overview of Blood cell types and haemoglobin
7.2 Sickle cell anemia
7.3 Thalassemias
7.4 Hemophilias
4
9 Genetic disorders of eye 3
10 Complex polygenic syndromes
11.1 Hyperlipidemia
11.2 Atherosclerosis
11.3 Diabetes mellitus
4
11 Mitochondrial syndromes 1
12 Management of genetic disorders 3

Recommended Books
1 Cox and Sinclair Molecular Biology in Medicine
Blackwell
1997
2 DeGrouchy and Turleau Clinical Atlas on Human Chromosomes Wiley 1984
3 Jankowski and Polak
Clinical Gene Analysis and Manipulation
Cambridge 1996
4 Korf
Human Genetics – A Problem Based Approach Blackwell 1996
5 Pasternak
An Introduction to Molecular Human Genetics Fritzgarald
2000
6 Rasko and Downes
Genes in Medicine
Kluwer 1995
7 Rimoin et al
Principles & Practice of Medical Genetics, vol I-III
Churchill
2002
8 Robinson and Linden
Clinical Genetics Handbook Blackwell 1994
9 Strachan and Read
Human Molecular Genetics Wiley
1999
10 Wilson
Clinical Genetics: A Short Course
Wiley-Liss
2000

COURSE MHG MA 302: Immunogenetics (2.5 + 0.5 Credits)

1 An introduction to immune system
1.1 Innate and adaptive immunity
1.2 Cells and organs of the immune system
1.3 Primary and secondary immune responses
1.4 Antigens, antibodies and T cell receptors
5
    1.4.1 Antigens
1.4.2 Structure and function of immunoglobulins
1.4.3 Monoclonal antibodies
1.4.4 B and T cell receptors and coreceptors
1.4.5 Antigen-antibody interactions
 
2 Immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes
2.1 Organization of Ig gene loci
2.2 Molecular mechanisms of generation of antibody diversity
2.3 Expression of Ig genes
2.4 Regulation of Ig gene transcription
2.5 Antibody engineering
2.6 Organization of TCR gene loci
2.7 Generation of TCR diversity
8
3 The HLA complex
3.1 Organization of HLA complex
3.2 Structure of class I and II HLA molecules
3.3 Expression of HLA genes
3.4 HLA polymorphism
3
4 Generation and regulation of immune responses
4.1 Antigen processing and presentation
4.2 MHC-restriction
4.3 Cytokines and activation of T and B cells
4.4 Clonal selection and immunological memory
4.5 Complement system
4.6 Regulation of immune responses
4.7 Immunological tolerance
7
5 Disorders of Human Immune System
5.1 Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies
5.2 Autoimmune disorders and role of MHC in disease susceptibility
5.3 Hypersensitive reactions
5.4 Cytokine-related diseases
5
6 Immune system in human health
6.1 Immune response to infectious diseases and malignancy
6.2 Concept of immunotherapy
6.3 Vaccines
6.4 Transplantation immunology
4

Recommended Books
1 Abbas et al Cellular and Molecular Immunology Saunders 2001
2 Barrett
Text Book of Immunology
Mosloy
1988
3 Benjamin et al
Immunology – A Short Course Wiley-Liss 2000
4 Kuby
Immunology
Freeman
2003
5 Roitt
Essential Immunology Blackwell
2003
6 Roitt et al
Immunology Mosloy 2000

COURSE MHG MA 303: Population & Evolutionary Genetics (2.5 Credits)

1 Concept and theories of evolution 3
2 Microevolution in Mendelian population
2.1 Mendelian Population
2.2 Allele frequencies and genotype frequencies
2.3 Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and conditions for its maintenance
5
3 Elemental forces of evolution
3.1 Mutation
3.2 Selection (Types of selection, selection coefficient, selection in natural populations)
3.3 Genetic drift
3.4 Migration
6
4 Chromosomal, DNA and allozyme polymorphism in natural population
4.1 Adaptive genetic polymorphism
4.2 Balanced polymorphism and heterosis
4.3 Genetic coadaptation and linkage disequilibrium
 
5 Isolating mechanisms 3
6 Concept of species and modes of speciation: sympatric, allopatric, stasipatric 2
7 Molecular population genetics
7.1 Molecular evolution (neutral theory, punctuated equilibrium)
7.2 DNA-based phylogenetic trees
7.3 Molecular clock
4
8 Nonrandom breeding
8.1 Inbreeding and assortative mating
8.2 Path diagram construction and inbreeding coefficient, allelic identities by descent
2
9 Human phylogeny
9.1 Hominid evolution: anatomical, Geographical, Cultural
9.2 Molecular phylogenetics of Homo sapiens
9.3 Peopling of continents (Europe, Africa, Asia)
4

Recommended Books
1 Brown
Genomes
Bios
1999
2 Hartl & Clark Principles of Population Genetics
Sinaur
1997
3 Hartl and Jones
Genetics _ Principles and Analysis Jones and Bartlet
1998
4 Hoelzel Molecular Genetic Analysis of Populations Oxford Univ 1998
5 Jobling et al
Human Evolutionary Genetics Garland 2004
6 Moody
Evolution
Harper and Row
1964
7 Roberts & DeStefano
Genetic Variation and its Maintenance Cambridge Univ
1986
8 Smith Evolutionary Genetics
Oxford
1998
9 Strickberger
Evolution Jones and Barlett 2000

COURSE MHG MA 304: Genetic Counseling (1 + 0.5 Credits)

1 Historical overview of genetic counseling
1.1 Models of Eugenic, Medical/Preventive, Decision making, Psychotherapeutic counseling; current definition and goals
1.2 Philosophy and ethos of genetic services and counseling
2
2 Components of genetic counseling
2.1 Indications for and purpose
2.2 Information gathering and construction of pedigrees
2.3 Medical Genetic evaluation
3
    2.3.1 Basic components of Medical History
2.3.2 Past medical history, social & family history
 
2.4 Physical examination
  2.4.1 General and dysmorphology examination
2.4.2 Documentation
3 Patterns of inheritance, risk assessment and counseling in common Mendelian and multifactorial syndromes 3
4 Biochemical and molecular genetic tests
4.1 In children
4.2 Presymptomatic testing for late onset diseases (predictive medicine)
2
5 Prenatal and pre-implantation diagnosis
5.1 Indications for prenatal diagnosis
5.2 Indications for chromosomal testing
5.3 Noninvasive methods
5.4 Invasive methods
2
6 Legal and ethical considerations 1

Recommended Books
1 Baker et al
A Guide to Genetic Counseling
Wiley
1998
2 Harper
Practical Genetic Counseling
Arnold 2001
3 Rose & Lucassen Practical genetics of primary care Oxford 1999
4 Young Introduction to Risk Calculation in Genetic Counseling
Oxford 1999

COURSE MHG MA 405: Human Genome (3 + 1 Credits)

1 The Genome project
1.1. History, organization and goals of human genome project
1.2. Mapping strategies, current status of various maps; DNA segment nomenclature
1.3. Human genome diversity
8
2 Organization of human genome
2.1. Mitochondrial genome
2.2. Gross base composition of nuclear genome
2.3. Gene density
2.4. CpG islands
2.5. RNA-encoding genes
2.6. Functionally identical/similar genes
2.7. Diversity in size and organization of genes
8
3 Gene families
3.1 Multigene families – Classical gene families, families with large conserved domains, families with small conserved domains
3.2 Gene superfamilies
3.3 Gene families in clusters
3.4 Pseudogenes
3.5 Repetitive DNA and transposable elements
3.6 Origin of gene families
8
4 Comparative Genomics
4.1 Overview of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes
4.2 C-value, number of genes and complexity of genomes
4.3 Conservation and diversity of genomes
4.4 Comparative genomics as an aid to gene mapping and study of human disease genes
8
5 Global study of Genome activity
5.1 Transcriptome and its analysis
5.2 Proteome and Proteomics
7

Recommended Books
1 Brown
Genomes
Bios
2002
2 Coleman and Tsongalis
Molecular Diagnosis
Humana 1997
3 Dale & Schartz
From Genes to Genomes Wiley 2003
4 Hawley and Mori The Human Genome Academic
1999
5 Lewis
Human Genetics WCB
1999
6 Liebler Introduction to Proteomics Humana 2002
7 Pasternak
An Introduction to Molecular Human Genetics Fritzgerald 2000
8 Primrose & Twyman Principles of Genome Analysis & Genomics Blackwell
2003
9 Strachan and Read Human Molecular Genetics Wiley 1999
10 Sudbery Human Molecular Genetics
Prentice Hall 2002

COURSE MHG MA 406: Cancer Genetics (1.5 +0.5 Credits)

1 Cell transformation and tumourigenesis
1.1. Oncogenes
1.2. Tumour suppressor genes
1.3. DNA repair genes and genetic instability
1.4. Epigenetic modifications, telomerase activity, centrosome malfunction
1.5. Genetic heterogeneity and clonal evolution
9
2 Familial cancers: Retinoblastoma, Wilms’ tumour, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, colorectal cancer, breast cancer 4
3 Genetic predisposition to sporadic cancer 1
4 Tumour progression: angiogenesis and metastasis 1
5 Chromosomal aberrations in neoplasia 2
6 Tumour specific markers 1
7 Cancer and environment: physical, chemical and biological carcinogens 2

Recommended Books
1 Alberts et al
Molecular Biology of the Cell
Garland
2002
2 Cowell
Molecular Genetics of Cancer
Bios
2001
  Ehrlich
DNA Alterations in Cancer
Eaton
2000
  Gersen & Keagle
Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics
Humana
1999
  Lewin
Genes VIII
Pearson
2004
  Lodish et al
Molecular Cell Biology
Freeman
2004
  Stillman Molecular Genetics of Cancer CSHL 1994

COURSE MHG MA 407: Clinical Assignments (4 Credits)

Each student will visit the BHU hospital as per the schedule drawn each year and undertake analysis of some of the inherited diseases presented during these visits. Each student will maintain a detailed record of the visits and the patients analyzed and submit a Report on the same.

COURSE MHG MA 408: Dissertation (6 Credits)

Each student will undertake an experimental project under supervision of one of the teachers during Semester 4 and submit TWO copies of the dissertation which will include: a) Review of the relevant literature, b) Objectives of the study, c) Materials and Methods, d) Results/Observations (supported by figures/tables etc as required), e) Discussion of the Results/Observations, f) Summary and g) References

MINOR ELECTIVES

COURSE MHG MI 01: Techniques in Drosophila Genetics (2 Credits)

1 Life cycle and advantages of Drosophila as a model genetic system 4
  1.1. Embryonic development
1.2. Larval stages and tissue types
1.3. Pupa and metamorphosis
1.4. Adult morphology and internal organs
1.5. Spermatogenesis and oogenesis
 
2 Nomenclature of gene mutations and chromosome rearrangements, balancer chromosomes 2
3 Polytene chromosomes: maps, puffing and utility 3
4 Imaginal discs: development and differentiation 3
5 Mutagenesis 4
  5.1. X-ray and chemical mutagenesis
5.2. P-element insertional mutagenesis
 
6 Germline transformation with P-element based vectors 2
7 Mitotic recombination and generation of somatic clones for developmental studies 3
8 Conditional and/or targeted expression of genes 3
9 Drosophila models for human genetic disorders  

Recommended Books
1 Ashburner
Drosophila - A Laboratory Handbook
CSHL
1989
2 Bates and Arias
Development of Drosophila melanogaster (Vol I & II)
CSHL
1993
3 Demerec and Kaufmann
Drosophila Guide
Carnegie
1965
4 Goldstein and Fyrberg
D. melanogaster practical uses in cell and molecular biology
Academic
1994
5 Lawerence
The making of a fly: The genetics of animal design
Blackwell
1992

COURSE MHG MI 02: Stress Biology (2 Credits)

1 Different environmental stresses 2
2 Cellular responses to heat shock 4
  2.1. Effects at transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational levels
2.2. Heat shock genes and their regulation
 
3 Cellular responses to other environmental stresses 3
4 Heat shock protein families and their functions 5
5 Evolution of stress responses and stress genes 3
6 Molecular chaperones as facilitators of developmental plasticity and evolution 3
7 Stress proteins as bio-indicators 2
8 Stress proteins and disease 2
9 Stress proteins in immunity 2

Recommended Books
1 Feige et al
Stress-inducible cellular responses
Birkhauser
1996
2 Morimoto et al
The biology of heat shock proteins & molecular chaperones
CSHL
1994
3 Tissieres et al
Heat shock response – from bacteria to man
CSHL 1981
4   Contemporary reviews published in various journals
   

COURSE MHG MI 03: Reproductive Genetics (2 Credits)

1 Male and female reproductive systems 10
  1.1. Gonads and differentiation of sexual characters
1.2. Hormonal regulation of sexual differentiation
 
2 Reproductive disorders 11
  2.1. Disorders of gonads, genital tracts and genitalia  
    2.1.1. Pseudohermaphroditism
2.1.2. True hermaphroditism
2.1.3. Gonadal dysgenesis
2.1.4. Anomalies of genital ducts
 
  2.2. Infertility  
    2.2.1. Genetic basis of male infertility
2.2.2. Genetic basis of female infertility
2.2.3. Recurrent pregnancy loss
 
3 Technologies in reproductive assistance 3
4 Legal and ethical implications in reproductive assistance  

Recommended Books
1 Besser & Thorner
Comprehensive clinical endocrinology
Mosby
2002
2 Rimoin et al
Principles & Practice of Medical Genetics, Vol I-III
Churchill
2002

COURSE MHG MI 04: Seminar (1.5 Credits)

The student will deliver a comprehensive seminar on a current topic of his/her choice in the field of Molecular & Human Genetics. The topic of Seminar must be different from the topics covered in any of the courses.

COURSE MHG MI 05: Formulation of a Research Proposal (1.5 Credits)

The student will identify a new topic for research and prepare a document providing a) Background of the research problem, b) Objectives, c) Strategies for experimental work, d) Expected Results and e) References. The student will also present and defend the research proposal formulated by him/her

(Minor Electives will be offered in Semester 2 and 4)