37628 - Molecular Phylogenesis Laboratory

Academic Year 2013/2014

  • Docente: Barbara Mantovani
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: BIO/05
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Biodiversity and Evolution (cod. 8419)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have detailed knowledge about the main laboratory techniques for the study of molecular phylogeny at different taxonomic levels. In particular, the student will be able to utilize the following: total DNA isolation, electrophoresis, PCR amplification, cloning, genomic restriction, sequencing, bioinformatic analyses of molecular data.

Course contents

Theory: Molecular markers and phylogeny. Mitochondrial and plastidial DNA. Nuclear genome organization. Examples of fast and slow-evolving markers for phylogenetic studies performed at different taxonomical levels. Biological lab protocols: DNA isolation, bacterial cloning, PCR amplification, sequencing. Bioinformatic lab: application of main softwares for molecular data elaboration.

Readings/Bibliography

To be defined with students

Teaching methods

ppt presentation; didactic laboratories of molecular biology and informatics

Assessment methods

Oral presentation and discussion of a scientific paper from a peer reviewed Journal and answer to oral questions.

Teaching tools

.ppt presentation; molecular biology laboratory, informatic laboratory.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Mantovani