CH927: Quantitative Biology
Quantitative Biology module content and structure |
| Aim: To introduce students to a variety of plant and animal experimental systems that all involve analysis of large-scale quantitative data using mathematical techniques. Syllabus:
Illustrative Bibliography:
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Module Content and Details
Assessment will be by assignments (50%) and a final written examination (50%).
The timetable is posted online.
The module CH924 is a prerequisite for taking CH927. CH925 is also strongly advised.
Evolutionary genomics: Quantitative Trait Locus and association mapping (Dr Peter Walley)
Is it genes or the environment that governs how animals and plants develop? Both of course, but how do you understand and distinguish the components? QTL analysis and genome-wide association mapping are two techniques that, driven by recent advents in next-generation sequencing technology, can enable this. We will discuss the biology, methodology and even newer techniques such as eQTL mapping in lectures.
Lecture 1 2012/13 - Quantitative Variation
Lecture 2 2012/13 - QTLs and genetic maps
Lecture 3 2012/13 - QTL and GWAS methods
Lecture 4 2012/13 - eQTLs and networks
Lecture 5 2012/13 - QTL practical and write up 2013
- QTL mapping (review paper by Tanksley, 1993)
- Association mapping (example where 107 traits were mapped)
- eQTLs and networks (Metabolites, genes, QTLs, the lot!)
Population dynamics (Prof Graham Medley)
Two key concepts in analysing populations of individual organisms will be discussed. The first is that each individual is greatly affected by the state of the population (the amount of food available, the chances of finding a mate etc), and that the state of the population is determined by the individuals. As a consequence, populations are necessarily dynamic, and necessarily non-linear. The second key concept is that biology is about variability: between individuals and (in this case) between populations (and within populations over time). The mean is not as informative as the variance. Much can be learnt about the processes determining population size by studying variation. These concepts will be further explored using a Matlab simulation (asssessed).
- An introduction to ecological modelling: putting practice into theory. Gillman & Hails (1997). Blackwell Science.
- An example of population modelling in the literature (Secor et al, 2009)
- Powerpoint file for lectures (handouts will be provided)
- MatLab files for assessment: script, function one, two, plot functions one, two, three
- Assessment details (also provided in hard copy); marking scheme
Evolutionary genetics and dynamics, & QTL analysis (Dr Hugo van den Berg)
Being taught in 2012/13 by:
Population dynamics
Quantitative biology & evolutionary genomics
Evolutionary genetics and dynamics, & QTL analysis
If you have any questions, please contact us.