Molecular systematics

Course unit

title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Molecular systematics

Biology N010

Zoology N014

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biosciences

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

1

Self-studies

9

Seminars

0

Aims of course

To extend the knowledge of molecular techniques and data analysis methods used in biological systematics and improve their application skills.

Main topics

1. The evolution of molecular systematics and its links with other fields of biosystematics. The importance of molecular biology and bioinformatics to systematics. Molecular evolution. Molecular and morphological data.

2. Molecular techniques used in systematics and their applications. Molecular cytogenetics. FISH. PCR. Analysis of fragments and restriction sites. Microsatellites. Fragment cloning. Sequencing.

3. Data analysis and the interpretation of the results. Sequence alignment. Substitution models. The methods of phylogenetic tree construction. Tree reliability evaluation. Intra- and interspecific differences. Species delimitation methods. Software and its application.

4. Project design, data search and deposition to databases. Collection, documentation and storage of samples. Gene banks. Phylogenetic data depositories. BLAST.

Main literature

Choudhuri S. 2014. Bioinformatics for beginners: Genes, Genomes, Molecular Evolution, Databases and Analytical Tools. Elsevier

Higgs P. G., Attwood T. K. 2005. Bioinformatics and Molecular Evolution. Blackwell Science Ltd

Hillis D.M., Moritz G., Mable B.K. (ed.) 1996. Molecular Systematics. 2nd ed., Sinauer Associates, Inc.

Schuh R. T., Andrew V. Z. Brower A. V. Z. 2009. Biological Systematics: Principles and Applications. 2nd Edition, Cornell University Press

Wiley E. O., Lieberman B. S. 2011. Phylogenetics: theory and practice of phylogenetic systematics. John Wiley & Sons

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Seminar presentation

The problem concerning systematics or taxonomy of particular group of organisms

and its solution using molecular techniques are discussed during the seminar presentation (30 minutes).

10 (excellent). The presentation meets the requirements to scientific works. The conclusions are supported by the data presented.

9 (very good). One of the disadvantages listed below was observed during the seminar presentation.

8 (good). Two disadvantages were observed.

7 (highly satisfactory). Three disadvantages were observed.

6 (satisfactory). Four disadvantages were observed.

5 (sufficient). Five disadvantages were observed.

4 (insufficient). All disadvantages listed below were observed during the seminar presentation.

The disadvantages observed during the seminar presentation: the analysis of literature was incomplete; the goals and tasks of the presentation were not clear; the conclusions were not supported by the data presented; the questions during the seminar were not answered or were answered incorrectly; the presentation did not meet the requirements to the scientific works; the essential concepts were used incorrectly.

Jekaterina Havelka

Dr.

Approved by the Council of Graduate School of Life Sciences Center No 600000-…-… on the …. of …… 2021

Chairman