Genetics - ethical gene: understanding the techniques to understand the issues
Responsible person(s): Alexandre Reymond
Speakers: Alexandre Reymond, Marc Audétat, Nolwenn Bühler, Vincent Castella, Viviane Cina, Christian Fankhauser, Luca Fumagalli, Jean-Marc Good, Anna-Sapfo Malaspinas, Kelly Ormond, Philippe Reymond
UNIL public laboratory l'Eprouvette (Delphine Ducoulombier and Séverine Trouilloud)
Platform "Lausanne Genomic Technologies Facility" (Julien Marquis and collaborators)
Other speakers by invitation (débats, discussions)<
Courses
Semester: Spring Term 1
Schedule: Tuesday 8:15am - 12:00pm
Classroom: Génopode - 2016 (Except Tuesday 18 March 2025: Le Forum, bâtiment Amphipôle)
Number of hours: 28
Objective
The aim of this course is to present genetics and its impact on society from the angles of biology, medicine, ethics, law and the approaches and methods used in research.
Content
- DNA, the genome
- From gene to protein
- From genotype to phenotype
- Heredity, the transmission of characteristics
- Alleles, dominance and recessivity
Genetics and medicine
- Mutations, genetic diseases
- Precision medicine
- Patient counselling
- Living with a rare disease
Genetics and society
- The selection of animal breeds and plant varieties
- GMOs
- Human génome research
- The ethical and legal issues
- The role of patients in research
- Biodiversity conservation;
- Biosociality and organic citizenship
Genetic : research and methods
- Sequencing
- Experimental models
- PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
- Genetic engineering; the recent development of the CRISPR/Cas9 method
Seminars and practical work
Semester: Spring Term 2
Schedule: Tuesday 8:15am - 12:00pm
Course dates: See locations and dates
Class room: See locations and dates
Number of hours: 28
Locations and dates:
April 29, 2025 : Génopode 2016
6 May 2025 : Meeting in the Hall (2nd floor) of the Génopode
13 and 20 May 2025 : Eprouvette, Amphipôle "Le Forum l'Eprouvette"
27 May 2025 : Meeting in the Hall (2nd floor) of the Génopode, then Génopode 2016
Objectives
Practical work carried out as part of the'Eprouvette, the public laboratory at UNIL
- DNA traces: Are you there, wolf? Familiarise yourself with different molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques to identify and compare DNA traces collected in the field from different animal species, including the wolf. To discuss various aspects of the wolf's return: ecological context, impact on wildlife, risks to humans, protected species and the notion of hybrids, the researcher's position in societal debates.
Seminaries: Biodiversity management and conservation
Forensic DNA analysis and paternity testing
Lab visits:
- Insect defence genes in plants
- Technological developments: high-throughput sequencing, global genetic analyses
- The mouse: a model for the study of genetics
Prerequisites
Course : can be taken without the " Seminar and practical work ".
Seminar and practical works : it is necessary to have followed the course "Genetics - ethical gene: understanding the techniques to understand the issues".
Assessment method
Course: Group exercise (discussion on a topical issue) and oral knowledge test.
Practical work: Report on practical work
History
The course and practical work have been given until spring 2021 by Professor Liliane Michalik under the name : Genetics today