Details of LS4108 (Autumn 2016)

Level: 4 Type: Theory Credits: 3.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(s)
LS4108 Epigenetics Shree Prakash Pandey

Preamble
This course will be offered by Prof. Sanjeev Galande of IISER Pune to the students of IISER Kolkata over NKN. Dr. Shree Pandey will be the local coordinator of the course.

The objectives of this course is to introduce students to basics concepts in gene regulation, chromatin biology, genome-environment interaction, epigenetics and its applications in genomics and disease biology. The course would be useful for the students who are interested in learning about the organization of genes and their organization at molecular level and also using a systems approach. The discussions will encompass biochemistry, bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, computational biology and systems biology.

Syllabus
In this course I will begin with the fundamentals of regulation of gene expression and chromatin organization (8 lectures) and then discuss emerging concepts of how DNA sequence can dictate chromatin organization at the domain level (6 lectures), with specific emphasis on regulatory elements such as boundary elements and insulators (6 lectures). Mechanisms underlying the roles of these elements in development, differentiation and complex diseases will be discussed using specific examples (6 lectures). Recent developments underlying epigenetic regulation of complex traits such as behavior will be discussed (2 lectures). Finally, we will discuss the newly emerging evidence towards transgenerational effects of diet and lifestyle (8 lectures).

Evaluation scheme:

a. Quiz 10%
b. Mid-sem examination -30 %
c. Written essay assignment/paper presentation - 20%
d. End-sem examination - 30%

Prerequisite
None (Preferred: Biochemistry/Genetics/Cell and Molecular Biology)

References
Research articles/Reviews:

1. Histone variants ancient wrap artists of the epigenome. Talbert P. B. and Henikoff, S. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol., 2010 doi:10.1038/nrm2861

2. Divide and (epigenetic) rule: Chromatin domains as functional and structural units of genomes. Mishra RK and Galande S. Journal of Indian Academy of Sciences, Platinum Jubilee issue, 2009, pp 211-224.

3. The mammalian epigenome. Berstein et al., Cell 2007, 128: 669-681.

4. Linking DNA methylation and histone modification: patterns and paradigms. Cedar H, Bergman Y. Nat Rev Genet. 2009, 10(5):295-304.

5. Boundaries. Boundaries...Boundaries??? Lunyak VV. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2008, 20(3):281-7.

6. Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance: Myths and Mechanisms. Heard E and Martienssen R, Cell 2014, 157(1):95109.

Course Credit Options

Sl. No.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 1 Elective
2 IP 3 Elective
3 IP 5 Not Allowed
4 MR 1 Not Allowed
5 MR 3 Not Allowed
6 MS 7 Elective
7 RS 1 Elective
8 RS 2 Elective