Evolutionary Genetics of Plants and Microorganisms

What it is about

You will learn the fundamentals and applications of evolutionary and population genetics in plants and microorganisms. In the end you will be able to apply the principles of mutation, selection, genetic drift and recombination to DNA data and analyze genomic datasets with respect to selection, population structure and demographic history.

What you will be able to do

• Acquire data from public databases
• Independently analyze DNA sequences with DnaSP or PopGenome (R)
• Explain and apply principles of evolutionary and population genetics
• Recognize and interpret the effects of evolutionary forces in genetic data
• Assess applications of population genetics in plant breeding, medicine and microbiology
• Critically analyze published studies and develop your own genome analyses

What the module consists of

• VorlesungConveying the theoretical and mathematical foundations of evolutionary theory
• ÜbungPractical application: Analysis of sequence data with DnaSP and PopGenome (R) and discussion and interpretation of results
• Paper-PräsentationApplication of theory to whole-genome data based on scientific articles

Teaching method

• Vorlesungen mit PowerPointConveying theory and mathematical foundations
• Praktische Übungen mit DnaSP, R und Coalescent-SimulatorenDevelopment and application of sequence analysis and statistics
• Studium und Diskussion wissenschaftlicher ArtikelCritical analysis of studies on pathogens, plant breeding, human evolution and laboratory experiments