DEVELOPMENTAL GENETICS FOR CONSERVATION AND REGENERATION
Human-induced factors such as changes in land use and global climate are causing rapid worldwide biodiversity loss. Can modern molecular genetics contribute to species preservation? In this course, we will first explore the challenges and potential of molecular genetic methods based on biobanking, gene editing and nuclear transfer for animal biodiversity preservation. Topics covered will include: i) maternal factors and early animal development, ii) interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (isSCNT) and oocyte-mediated reprogramming in animal cloning, iii) developmental, phylogenetic and ecological considerations for biobanking, iv) gene editing and synthetic biology as potential tools to recapture biodiversity. Use knowledge in animal population status, developmental genetics and phylogeny to address real-life problems involving the conservation of threatened animal populations.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: GENETICS 466 , 467 , or BIOCORE 381 Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Biological Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Develop a greater knowledge of global threats to animal populations Audience: Undergraduate 2. Learn principles of animal development at the egg-to-embryo transition, the use of oocytes for reprogramming, cloning and xenograft production, and the effects of phylogenetic relatedness on these processes Audience: Undergraduate 3. Learn developmental basis and consequences of inbreeding, breeding in captivity and domestication Audience: Undergraduate 4. Understand basic concepts in germ cell induction and manipulation Audience: Undergraduate 5. Learn about assessing and banking genetic diversity towards animal species preservation Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Develop a greater knowledge of global threats to animal populations Audience: Undergraduate 2. Learn principles of animal development at the egg-to-embryo transition, the use of oocytes for reprogramming, cloning and xenograft production, and the effects of phylogenetic relatedness on these processes Audience: Undergraduate 3. Learn developmental basis and consequences of inbreeding, breeding in captivity and domestication Audience: Undergraduate 4. Understand basic concepts in germ cell induction and manipulation Audience: Undergraduate 5. Learn about assessing and banking genetic diversity towards animal species preservation Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027