2017-2018 / GENE0440-1

Genetics and evolution

Duration

25h Th, 25h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Denis Baurain, Pierre Cardol, Fabrice Franck, Claire Remacle

Coordinator

Claire Remacle

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Integrated study (biochemical and phylogenetic) of the evolution of energy metabolism (respiration and photosynthesis) in algae.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course, students will be able to explain the main methods for studying the evolution of energy metabolism and to critically discuss current knowledge in the field.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course will begin with a half day of introductory theoretical lectures provided by the four speakers (diversity and evolution of eukaryotes, evolution of photosynthesis and respiration, extrachromosomal genetics).
The following days will be devoted to laboratory experiments to compare the energy metabolism in various photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes: (i) detection of respiratory complexes using non-denaturing protein electrophoresis (BNPAGE), (ii) comparative analysis of photosynthetic pigments by HPLC, (iii) spectroscopic analyses of photosynthetic activity by fluorescence imaging. Meanwhile, the molecular evolution of some key genes of these metabolisms will be examined through a series of phylogenetic analyses entirely performed on computer (iv).

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Face-to-face: One week course.

Recommended or required readings

PowerPoint presentations.

Assessment methods and criteria

The examination will consist in the individual presentation of part of the results obtained during the week and in their discussion based on a research paper.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

  • Schedule: 9:00h-12:30h and 14:00h-17:00h
  • Language: french
  • Participant number: max. 6

Contacts

Claire Remacle: c.remacle@ulg.ac.be Pierre Cardol: pierre.cardol@ulg.ac.be Fabrice Franck: f.franck@ulg.ac.be Denis Baurain: denis.baurain@ulg.ac.be