Genetics applied to veterinary medicine [SBIOB206]

Learning outcomes

To deepen the concepts of genetics studied in Bac1 and to familiarise students with the scientific thinking underlying past and recent advances in molecular biology.

The learning activities implemented in this unit will aim to develop a variety of skills such as mastery of basic concepts in genetics, the ability to understand a scientific question by drawing on previously acquired concepts and bibliographical research, critical analysis of different sources of information, the ability to summarise and orally present bibliographical research work, mastery of certain molecular biology techniques and the ability to work as part of a team.

Objectives

Demonstrate to veterinary students the importance of genetics in the veterinary world, both in terms of observable characteristics and in the development of animal pathologies and molecular diagnostics.


Practical work

    Exercises

Through the exercises, the student should be able to understand basic genetic concepts such as :

    Hereditary transmission
    alleles
    The auto/ererosomal character of a gene
    The dominant/recessive nature of a gene
    Polymorphism

In addition, on the basis of statements and family trees, the student should be able to:

    Determine the mode of transmission of a genetic characteristic
    Estimate the probability of a couple giving birth to a "child" with a given characteristic.


    Practical part

During the practical part, the aim is to master and understand the different stages of several techniques commonly used in genetics and molecular biology laboratories, such as :

    Genomic DNA extraction on columns and FTA cards
    PCR
    Pyrosequencing/Genotyping with TaqMan probes
    Agarose and acrylamide gel electrophoresis
    Ames test
    Paternity testing using microsatellites
    Yeast two-hybrid test
    β-galactosidase test in C. crescentus

The results of these different techniques will be used to :

    Determine the genotype of a horse's coat colour
    Determine which ram is the sire of a lamb
    Determine the presence of a genetic disease, ichthyosis, in Golden Retrievers
    Determine the mutagenic nature of a compound in bacteria
    Determine the interaction between two proteins
    Determine the activity of a promoter


At the end of the practical work, the student should be able to understand and master the various stages of the different protocols used. They should also be able to interpret the results of the various experiments and draw conclusions from them. Finally, the student must be able to critically evaluate the results and stand back from them.

Content

This course comprises the following 3 learning activities: (i) ex cathedra lectures organised into two theoretical modules in which the main concepts relating to the regulation of gene expression (module 1) and the origin and impact of mutations (module 2) in prokaryotes and eukaryotes will be taught, (ii) PBL (Problem-based learning) team work, during which students will have to use the concepts covered in the theory course and carry out a bibliographical search with the aim of tackling an imposed question related to biology, and (iii) practical work aimed at applying the theoretical concepts.