Animal Genetics Course

Lesson 1 • DNA Replication and Gene Expression

Explains how DNA copies itself and how genes produce proteins. Links molecular processes to observable traits in animals.

Lesson 2 • Cell Biology and Genetic Material

Covers cell structure, chromosomes, and DNA organisation in animal cells. Provides the cellular context needed for all subsequent genetic concepts.

Lesson 3 • Sex Determination and Linkage

Covers sex chromosome systems and X-linked inheritance across animal species. Establishes linkage concepts critical for marker-assisted selection.

Lesson 4 • Extensions of Mendelian Genetics

Addresses inheritance patterns that deviate from simple Mendelian ratios. Prepares students to interpret complex pedigrees and trait distributions.

Lesson 1 • Inbreeding and Its Consequences

Quantifies inbreeding using the inbreeding coefficient and traces its effects on fitness. Prepares students to manage inbreeding in closed herds.

Lesson 2 • Forces Changing Allele Frequencies

Examines mutation, migration, drift, and selection as drivers of frequency change. Connects each force to outcomes in closed breeding populations.

Lesson 3 • Effective Population Size

Defines effective population size and its role in genetic diversity conservation. Students calculate Ne under various mating structures.

Lesson 4 • Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Establishes the null model for allele and genotype frequencies. Deviations from equilibrium signal evolutionary forces acting on populations.

Lesson 1 • Breeding Value Estimation

Covers the concept of breeding value and its estimation from performance data. Provides the statistical foundation for genetic evaluation systems.

Lesson 2 • Continuous Trait Distributions

Explains why many animal traits follow normal distributions. Connects polygenic inheritance to phenotypic variation observed in populations.

Lesson 3 • Genetic Correlations Between Traits

Introduces genetic and phenotypic correlations and their breeding implications. Students learn to anticipate correlated responses to selection.

Lesson 4 • Variance Components and Heritability

Teaches decomposition of phenotypic variance into genetic and environmental parts. Heritability estimates guide selection intensity decisions.

Lesson 1 • Bioinformatics for Genetic Data

Introduces software pipelines for processing and interpreting large genetic datasets. Students run basic analyses using publicly available genomic tools.

Lesson 2 • PCR and Genotyping Methods

Teaches polymerase chain reaction principles and genotyping platforms. Students select appropriate methods for specific genetic marker applications.

Lesson 3 • DNA Extraction and Quality Assessment

Covers tissue sampling, extraction protocols, and quality metrics for animal DNA. Proper sample quality is a prerequisite for all downstream molecular analyses.

Lesson 4 • DNA Sequencing Technologies

Compares Sanger and next-generation sequencing approaches for animal genomics. Students evaluate sequencing strategies based on cost, throughput, and resolution.

Lesson 1 • Validation and Accuracy of Genomic EBVs

Teaches cross-validation methods and accuracy metrics for genomic predictions. Students assess reliability before deploying genomic selection in practice.

Lesson 2 • Reference Population Design

Addresses size, composition, and updating of reference populations for genomic evaluation. Reference population quality directly determines prediction reliability.

Lesson 3 • Linkage Disequilibrium and Haplotypes

Explains LD structure and haplotype blocks as the basis for genomic prediction. LD decay patterns determine the required marker density for accurate predictions.

Lesson 4 • Genomic Relationship Matrices

Constructs genomic relationship matrices from SNP data and compares them to pedigree-based matrices. Genomic relationships improve the accuracy of genetic evaluations.

Lesson 1 • Mating System Design

Evaluates assortative, disassortative, and optimum contribution mating strategies. Mating design balances genetic gain against inbreeding accumulation.

Lesson 2 • Reproductive Technologies in Breeding

Integrates AI, ET, and MOET into genetic improvement schemes. Reproductive technologies amplify selection intensity and reduce generation intervals.

Lesson 3 • Genetic Gain Monitoring and Evaluation

Establishes metrics and feedback loops to track realised genetic progress. Monitoring identifies programme deviations and guides corrective adjustments.

Lesson 4 • Defining Breeding Objectives

Guides construction of economically weighted breeding goals for animal populations. Clear objectives align genetic improvement with production system requirements.

Lesson 1 • QTL Mapping and Fine Mapping

Explains interval mapping and fine-mapping strategies to localise quantitative trait loci. Fine mapping narrows candidate regions for functional investigation.

Lesson 2 • Functional Genomics Approaches

Introduces transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics as tools for trait dissection. Functional data bridges statistical associations and biological pathways.

Lesson 3 • Candidate Gene Analysis

Guides prioritisation and functional validation of candidate genes from association studies. Validated candidates become targets for marker-assisted and genomic selection.

Lesson 4 • Epigenetics in Animal Populations

Covers DNA methylation, histone modification, and their heritable effects on animal phenotypes. Epigenetic variation adds complexity to classical genetic models.

Lesson 1 • Population Structure and Differentiation

Analyses the genetic structure within and among animal populations. Structure analysis reveals breed relationships and guides conservation prioritisation.

Lesson 2 • Measuring Genetic Diversity

Quantifies diversity using molecular markers and genomic data. Diversity metrics guide decisions in both conservation and commercial breeding programmes.

Lesson 3 • Genomic Tools for Wildlife Management

Extends animal genetics methods to wild population monitoring and management. Non-invasive sampling and genomic tools enable conservation without capture.

Lesson 4 • Breed Characterisation and Traceability

Uses molecular markers to characterise breeds and verify individual ancestry. Traceability supports breed registry integrity and product authentication.