Genetics Course

Lesson 1 • Genotype, Phenotype, and Probability

Distinguishes genetic makeup from observable traits and applies probability to predict offspring ratios. Builds quantitative reasoning essential for genetics problem-solving.

Lesson 2 • DNA Structure and Composition

Covers the double-helix model, nucleotide components, and base-pairing rules. Provides the molecular foundation for all subsequent genetic concepts.

Lesson 3 • Mendelian Principles of Inheritance

Teaches Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment through pea-plant experiments. Grounds students in the rules that predict trait transmission.

Lesson 1 • Mitosis and Somatic Cell Division

Details each phase of mitosis and cytokinesis in somatic cells. Connects accurate chromosome segregation to genetic stability across cell generations.

Lesson 2 • Chromosome Organisation and Karyotyping

Describes chromosome number, morphology, and karyotype construction. Establishes the physical basis for understanding division and inheritance patterns.

Lesson 3 • Meiosis and Gamete Formation

Contrasts meiosis I and II with mitosis, emphasising crossing over and haploid gamete production. Links meiotic events to genetic variation in offspring.

Lesson 1 • DNA Repair Pathways

Surveys base excision, nucleotide excision, mismatch, and double-strand break repair. Links pathway choice to lesion type and cell-cycle stage.

Lesson 2 • Proofreading and Fidelity Mechanisms

Explains how DNA polymerase proofreads and corrects errors during synthesis. Connects fidelity mechanisms to the low mutation rate observed in healthy cells.

Lesson 3 • Mutations and Their Consequences

Classifies point mutations, frameshifts, and large-scale alterations and their phenotypic effects. Bridges repair failure to heritable change and disease risk.

Lesson 4 • Mechanisms of DNA Replication

Covers the semi-conservative model, origin firing, and the roles of key replication enzymes. Establishes how the genome is accurately duplicated before each division.

Lesson 1 • Translation and Ribosome Function

Details ribosome structure, initiation, elongation, and termination of translation. Links ribosomal mechanics to the fidelity of protein synthesis.

Lesson 2 • Transcription in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Compares bacterial and eukaryotic transcription machinery, promoters, and termination signals. Highlights structural differences that affect gene regulation strategies.

Lesson 3 • Post-Translational Modifications

Surveys cleavage, folding, glycosylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of proteins. Shows how modifications expand functional diversity beyond the primary sequence.

Lesson 4 • The Genetic Code and tRNA

Decodes the triplet codon system and explains tRNA structure and aminoacylation. Connects codon-anticodon pairing to accurate amino acid incorporation.

Lesson 1 • DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Memory

Describes CpG methylation patterns, maintenance methyltransferases, and their role in stable gene silencing. Explains how epigenetic marks are propagated through cell division.

Lesson 2 • Non-Coding RNAs in Gene Regulation

Surveys miRNA, siRNA, lncRNA, and piRNA roles in post-transcriptional and transcriptional silencing. Highlights their importance in development and disease.

Lesson 3 • Chromatin Remodelling and Histone Modification

Explains how histone acetylation, methylation, and chromatin remodelling complexes alter DNA accessibility. Links chromatin state to transcriptional activation or silencing.

Lesson 4 • Prokaryotic Transcriptional Regulation

Uses the lac and trp operons to illustrate negative and positive control of gene expression. Establishes regulatory logic that underpins more complex eukaryotic systems.

Lesson 1 • Sources of Genetic Variation

Identifies mutation, recombination, and gene flow as primary generators of allelic diversity. Connects variation sources to the raw material for natural selection.

Lesson 2 • Molecular Markers and Population Studies

Surveys SNPs, microsatellites, and structural variants used to measure population diversity. Connects marker data to phylogenetic and ancestry inference.

Lesson 3 • Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Derives and applies the Hardy-Weinberg principle to calculate expected genotype frequencies. Serves as the null model for detecting evolutionary change in populations.

Lesson 4 • Evolutionary Forces Altering Allele Frequencies

Analyses natural selection, genetic drift, mutation pressure, and gene flow as forces that shift allele frequencies. Distinguishes adaptive from neutral evolutionary change.

Lesson 1 • Long-Read and Single-Cell Sequencing

Introduces nanopore and single-molecule real-time sequencing alongside single-cell RNA-seq. Highlights how these technologies resolve structural variants and cell-type heterogeneity.

Lesson 2 • Comparative and Functional Genomics

Uses synteny, ortholog identification, and genome-wide association studies to link sequence to function. Connects comparative analysis to understanding gene conservation and disease.

Lesson 3 • Sanger Sequencing and Early Genomics

Explains chain-termination sequencing chemistry and its role in early genome projects. Provides historical context for appreciating next-generation advances.

Lesson 4 • Next-Generation Sequencing Platforms

Covers sequencing-by-synthesis, library preparation, and cluster amplification in short-read platforms. Connects throughput and cost advantages to broad research applications.

Lesson 1 • Genetic Testing and Diagnostics

Covers carrier screening, prenatal diagnosis, pharmacogenomics, and direct-to-consumer testing. Connects molecular tools to clinical decision-making and personalised medicine.

Lesson 2 • Polymerase Chain Reaction and Variants

Explains PCR primer design, thermocycling, and quantitative and digital PCR variants. Connects amplification techniques to diagnostics, cloning, and expression analysis.

Lesson 3 • CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing

Details guide RNA design, Cas9 cutting, and HDR vs. NHEJ repair outcomes. Positions CRISPR as the dominant tool for precise genome modification across organisms.

Lesson 4 • Recombinant DNA Technology

Covers restriction enzymes, ligation, vector design, and cloning strategies. Establishes the foundational toolkit for inserting and expressing foreign genes.