Students will be exposed to the progress from Mendelian genetics to the modern understanding of the gene at the molecular level. Stress will be made on the notion that understanding how cells work at the molecular level is an important aspect of finding a cure for dysfunction that results in specific illnesses. Emphasis will be placed on gene structure, function and regulation with a view to understand genetic and other diseases. Genetic epidemiology of certain diseases will be explored. Variation in chromosome structure and the resulting anomalies will be examined. Lectures will be supplemented with case studies, laboratory practicals or demonstration wherever possible.
