CONCEPTS AND ISSUES IN GENETICS
Genetic Basis of Life
DNA, genes, chromosomes, transcription, translation
Genetic Variation
Sources of variation, analysis of variation, linkage and association
Genetics and Evolution
Mendelian genetics (principles of heredity), and neo-Darwinian evolution
Medical Genetics
Genetic basis of disease (autosomal/sex-linked; recessive/dominant; maternal inheritance), conventional genetic diagnosis (cytogenetics, karyotyping, amniocentesis, chorionic villous sampling), penetrance, pleiotropy, polygenic traits, genetic-environment interactions (ecogenetics), genetic counselling
Molecular Genetics
Methods (RFLP, PCR, fingerprinting, sequencing), human genome mapping, forensic genetics
Genetic Engineering
Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology (production of vaccines, hormones and other proteins), GM foods, transgenic animals, knock-out animals, site-directed mutagenesis, cloning, making organs
Cancer Genetics
Tumour suppressor genes, proto-oncogenes, specific cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA, AT, WT, RB1 etc), genetic susceptibility to chemical carcinogens (pharmacogenetics; genetics of biotransformation)
Immunogenetics
Transplantation genetics, immunogenetic basis of (autoimmune, infectious, malignant) diseases, genetic basis of ageing and longevity
Human Origins
Evolution of Homo sapiens, molecular clock, multiregional theory, genetic basis of the tree of life (molecular phylogenetics)
Population Genetics
Allele/gene frequencies, homozygosity rates, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, positive and negative selection, genetic drift, genetic distance
Genetics of Reproduction
Mitosis/meiosis (sexual reproduction), genetic compatibility systems and avoidance of inbreeding, the paradox of the fetal allograft
Bioethics and Genetics
Eugenics, genetic screening, animal studies, consent, insurance, morality.