Courses

Fall term - 3 credits

Course Description:

The course covers the molecular basis of the organization, expression, and transmittance of genetic information. Using research literature, students will develop a modern understanding of major concepts in genetics: (1) how genetic information is transmitted through mitosis and meiosis; (2) how genetic information is organized in genomes; (3) how information is impacted by mutagenesis and repair; and, (4) how genes are functionally expressed to generate phenotypes. Students will learn the core concepts that underlie the investigation of molecular, cellular, and organismal genetics. As a graduate level course, students are expected to enter HUMGEN 545 with an advanced understanding of the nature of biological systems, genetic information inheritance, and the processes of nucleic acid maintenance, replication, and transcription. The class will use experimental research in model systems and humans to understand the scientific processes that have uncovered the transmission and encoding of genetic information, as well as exposing the gaps in current understanding. We will emphasize comprehending primary research strategies and experimental design, including: (i) developing hypotheses; (ii) building strong experimental rationale; (iii) explaining expected results; and, (iv) understanding the limitations of experimental systems. The course includes recent genome-wide analysis strategies that are dramatically changing how we investigate phenotypes. Students will learn the foundational laboratory and analytical strategies used in modern genetics. Upon completion of HUMGEN 545, students will understand current research directions and experimental strategies across diverse areas of genetics. Instructor approval is required for enrollment in this course.

 Prerequisites:

An undergraduate-level course in general biology and a specialized undergraduate-level course in genetics (e.g. BIOLOGY 305) is required.

Specific subjects include:
Mendelian Genetics
Gene Structure and Organization
Chromosomal and Nuclear Organization
Gene Regulatory Networks
Transcription and RNA Processing
Translation
Mobile Genetic Elements
DNA Replication and Mutagenesis
DNA Repair and Recombination
Chromatin and Epigenetics
Long and Small Functional Noncoding RNAs

Director:
Kalantry

Instructors:
Kalantry, Moon, Mueller, Wilson 

Location:
(see syllabus below)

Schedule:
Mon / Wed / Fri 9:00AM-10:00AM

Winter term - 4 credits

Course Description:
This course covers human genetic variation and the processes that lead to diversity in human phenotypes. Using the genetics research literature, students will develop a modern understanding of major concepts in human genetics including: (1) how human genetics research uncovers disease-associated genetic variants; (2) the impact of gene-by-environment interactions on phenotypes; (3) the communication of genetic information to stakeholders; (4) the use of experimental systems to study the mechanisms by which human variation causes human disease phenotypes; and (5) the impact of population and evolutionary forces on the gene pool. The course will use primary genetic literature and will take a problem-solving approach to studying the genetic mechanisms underlying human phenotypes. We will emphasize comprehending primary research strategies and experimental design, including: (i) developing hypotheses; (ii) building strong experimental rationale; (iii) explaining expected results; and, (iv) understanding the limitations of experimental systems. Upon completion of HUMGEN 546, students will understand how disease-associated genes are identified and studied, as well as the concepts and analysis methods used for studying variation in human populations.

Prerequisites:
Students are expected to take HUMGEN 545 prior to enrolling in HUMGEN 546. Instructor approval is required for enrollment in this course.

Co-Directors:
Antonellis, Burke

Instructors:
TBD

Location:
(see syllabus below)

Schedule:
Monday (9-10:20am), Wednesday (9-10:20am), and Friday (9-9:50am)

Winter term - 3 credits

Course Description:
Introduction to the theory and practice of genomic data analysis. Includes DNA sequence mapping and assembly, variant calling, gene expression analysis, and gene network analysis. This course will introduce the use of Python for manipulation of data. The course project will require use of existing genomics tools on a distributed Linux computer cluster.

Prerequisites:
Experience with basic concepts in genetics and molecular biology.

Director:
Kidd

Instructors:
Kidd, Kitzman, Mills

Location:
(see syllabus below)

Schedule:
Tue/Thu 10:00AM-11:30AM

Winter term - 3 credits

Course Description:
This seminar and reading course is focused on cellular and molecular aspects of mammalian developmental neurobiology. Genetic and epigenetic principles underlying the emergence and maintenance of the mammalian nervous system will be explored in the context of human disorders that lead to structural brain abnormalities, intellectual disability and autism. The intent of this course is to present current topics in developmental neuroscience in the context of animal models and human diseases that have contributed to our understanding of the biochemical, molecular and cellular processes of brain development and function. Graduate students are required to write an analysis of a primary research paper to receive graduate level credit for HG580.

Course Director:
Bielas ([email protected])

Instructors:
Bielas, Iwase, Kwan

Location:
(see syllabus below)

Schedule:
Tue/Thu 1:00pm-2:30pm

Fall/Winter terms - 1 credit

Course Description:
This course consists of a series of seminars and discussions on a special topic of interest to students, presented by invited speakers over several weeks each semester. The seminars are open to the University community. Registration for this course is limited to PIBS students, graduate students in CMB, and students supported by the Predoctoral Genetics Training Program. These “short courses” are coordinated and sponsored cooperatively by the CMB Program and the Genetics Predoctoral Training Program.

Prerequisites:
Must have instructor permission to register (send request to Ashley Andreae at [email protected]).

Schedule

Winter term - 1 credit

Course Description:
The GTP trainees will take this course in the winter term and discuss papers focusing on the short course topic. The goal of this course is to prepare students for seminars from the visiting short course speakers. Each student will present a practice talk to their PI the week before their formal presentation. Dr. John Moran and members of the GTP faculty will provide verbal feedback on the presentation to the students. In addition to the content of the course, Genetics 631 provides rigorous training in critical analysis of the primary literature and the preparation of effective oral presentations.

Prerequisites:
Must have instructor permission to register (send request to Ashley Andreae at [email protected]).

Director:
John Moran, Ph.D.

Fall term - 1 credit

Course Description:
The GTP trainees participate in this course in the Fall term. Active GTP faculty members present informal seminars (i.e., in the form of a chalk talk presentation) about a research area in their laboratories to introduce GTP students to genetic strategies, research, and technologies used at the Michigan undergraduate and medical school campuses. The small group setting facilitates interaction and discussion among students and faculty. A recent, relevant publication (typically a review article) is distributed to the students one week prior to the class meeting to help them prepare for the discussion. A second faculty serves as a moderator to ensure an active discussion among the participants.

Prerequisites:
Must have instructor permission to register (send request to Ashley Andreae at [email protected]).

Director:
John Moran, Ph.D.

Presenters:
Csankovszki, Niederer, O'Brien, Marand, Wang, Kozik, Hastings, Wilson, Todd, Bielas

Moderators:
Freddolino, Iwase, Martin, Buttitta, Mills, McLoughlin, Mueller, Lukaszewicz, Kwan, Prasov

Location:
4917 Buhl

Schedule:
Mon 1:00PM-2:15PM

Winter term - 2 credits

Course Description:

The Human Genetics "Advanced Topics in Genetics" course (HG803) will be offered in Winter semester.  The field of Human Genetics has grown dramatically in recent years, in large part due to rapid advances in new technologies for discovery and the explosion of new data and resources. HG803 provides students with an opportunity to learn about cutting edge technologies, new mechanisms of genetic regulation, and the application of experimental approaches to genetics research.

Topics for Winter will include the following:

• New therapeutic approaches to genetic disease including modification of endogenous gene expression, post-translational processing, RNAi mediated gene knockdown, pathway modification, alteration of splicing, suppression of repeat expansion, and success with small molecules in intractable diseases
• Somatic mosaicism in human genetic disease
• Modeling epigenetic regulation through X inactivation
• Sex chromosomes
• New technologies to measure and predict variant effects
• Effect of structural haplotypes on disease risk
• Genetic manipulation of model organisms including CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome engineering
• Exploring the genetic basis of autism and neuropsychiatric disease
• Human pluripotent stem cell models of neurological development and disease
• Computational and functional characterization of transcriptional regulation important for human development and disease
• Complexity of histone modifications and state of the art methods of characterization

Recently published research manuscripts from the genetics field will be discussed during each of the weekly sessions. The class places a heavy emphasis on student-led presentations, critical analysis and active participation from all students enrolled in the course. Grading in HG803 is based on class participation--there are no exams.  HG803 (2 cr) meets twice weekly for 2-hour sessions; class size is limited to 15.

Prerequisites:
HG545 or HG546 and permission of instructor.

Director:
Moon

Instructors:
Antonellis, Bielas, Iwase, Keegan, Kidd, Kitzman, Lukaszewicz, Meisler, Mills, Moon, Mueller, Zhang

Location:
TBD

Schedule:
Wed 3:00PM-5:00PM

Fall/Winter terms - 1 credit

Course Description:
In order to enhance knowledge of topics in genetics-related research as well as critical thinking and seminar presentation skills, students present papers from the current genetics literature. Students in the Ph.D. Program in the Department of Human Genetics are required to register and participate in 4 semesters of HG821/822; presentations are required in two of these semesters. Genetic Counseling and Human Genetics Master's Programs students and MSTP students are required to register for two semesters and present a seminar in one of the semesters. All students participate in weekly practice sessions for the speakers and in post-presentation reviews.

Director:
Hammoud, McLoughlin

Instructors:
Antonellis, Burke, Camper, Glover, Kitzman, Li, Meisler, Mueller, Prasov, Shavit, Zhang

Location:
TBD

Schedule:
Fri 12:00PM-1:00PM