Master genetics fundamentals from Mendel to modern genomics using Julia programming in CoCalc. Learn DNA structure, base pairing rules, central dogma transcription/translation, Mendelian inheritance patterns, and computational genetics. Explore Chargaff's rules, genetic crosses, phenotypic ratios, and disease risk analysis through interactive simulations. Covers pharmacogenomics, CRISPR gene editing, and population genetics applications. Perfect for students and researchers combining molecular biology with computational methods. Includes real genetic data analysis, visualization tools, and modern bioinformatics techniques on the collaborative CoCalc platform.
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Genetics: From Mendel to Modern Genomics
Comprehensive Introduction to Genetic Principles
Level: Introductory | Language: Julia 1.9
Historical Foundation
Genetics began in 1866 when Gregor Mendel published his work on pea plants, establishing the fundamental laws of inheritance. The field transformed with Watson and Crick's DNA structure discovery in 1953, leading to today's genomic revolution.
Learning Objectives
Understand DNA structure and the central dogma
Apply Mendel's laws through computational simulations
Analyze real genetic data using Julia
Explore modern applications in medicine and biotechnology
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DNA - The Molecule of Life
Discovery and Structure
Rosalind Franklin's X-ray crystallography (Photo 51, 1952) revealed DNA's helical structure, enabling Watson and Crick's model. The double helix consists of:
Sugar-phosphate backbone: Provides structural support
Nitrogenous bases: A, T, G, C form the genetic code
Antiparallel strands: 5' to 3' directionality
Chargaff's Rules (1950)
Erwin Chargaff discovered that DNA composition follows specific patterns:
%A = %T and %G = %C (base pairing)
%GC content varies by species (thermal stability)
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
Francis Crick formulated the central dogma in 1958:
Mendelian Genetics
Mendel's Experiments (1856-1863)
Gregor Mendel studied 7 traits in pea plants, discovering:
Law of Segregation: Alleles separate during gamete formation
Law of Independent Assortment: Different traits inherited independently
Dominance: Some alleles mask others
Modern Applications
Genetic Testing and Medicine
Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring drugs to genetic profiles
Gene therapy: Correcting genetic defects (first success: 1990)
CRISPR-Cas9: Precise gene editing (Nobel Prize 2020)
Summary and Future Directions
Key Concepts Introduced
DNA structure and base pairing rules
Central dogma: DNA → RNA → Protein
Mendelian inheritance patterns
Computational genetics with Julia
Modern Frontiers
Epigenetics: Heritable changes beyond DNA sequence
Synthetic biology: Engineering new biological systems
Personalized medicine: Treatment based on individual genomes
Population genetics: Evolution and genetic diversity
Resources
NCBI GenBank: Public DNA sequence database
1000 Genomes Project: Human genetic variation
CoCalc: Collaborative computational biology platform