MCB 5471: Current Topics in Molecular Evolution:  
                    Evolution through Genetic Exchange


Preliminary Schedule:  

For each of the classes, all students should read the article listed first, the others are optional and for the discussion leaders!
Discussion leaders should discuss their approach with the instructor at least 5 days before the discussion date. 
(Note: Many links to the reading materials require a subscription and only work from within UConn)

Date

Topic

Discussion-Leader

1/24

Overview,
Modern Synthesis versus Mutationism.
"The Struggle for Existence" vs "Mutual Aid"

Reading materials:

J. Peter Gogarten

1/31

Mobile genetic elements: the agents of open source evolution
Mechanisms of gene transfer between lineages I:
Transformation, transduction, conjugation

Reading materials:

  

2/7

Mechanisms of gene transfer between lineages II:
Gene transfer agents

Reading materials:

  

2/14

Selfish DNA I: Molecular Parasites (homing endonucleases, introns, transposons)

Reading materials:

É

Kristen Swithers

2/21

Selfish DNA II: Selfish operon theory

Reading materials:

  

2/28

Beneficial viruses, viruses as weapons, viral mutualistic symbioses

Reading materials:

 
 

Spring Break

  

3/14

Evolution of the Holobiont – Symbiont transmission pathways, hologenome evolution by natural selection

Reading materials:

  

3/21

ÒSpeciationÓ through gene transfer. 
(Examples: plant parasitic nematodes, Bacillus anthraces and Mycobacterium ulcerans)

Reading materials:

  

3/28

Speciation through Hybridization, Hybridization barriers

Reading materials:

  

4/4

Re-evaluating prokaryotic species

Reading materials:

  

4/11

Evolution of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance;
Bacterial competition: surviving and thriving in the microbial jungle

Reading materials:

  

4/18

Origin of Eukaryotes

Reading materials:

Amanda DIck

4/25

Gene exchange bias and the maintenance of higher order taxonomic units

Reading materials:

Cheryl Andam