Notes from Lecture Recording #1

Course Overview for BIO 220

• Introduction by Laura Hesslin Piper, Course and Lab Coordinator.

  • Key personnel involved:

    • Professors:

      • John Stinchcomb (Lectures 1-12)

      • Nicole Medeiro (Lectures 13-24)

    • Lecture TA: Chris Carlson

    • Course Administrators: Veronica Chong, Flora Wang

  • Importance of a team to run the course effectively.

Course Resources

• Course website: Available on Corteos at q.utoronto.ca.

• Required textbook: Bio 220 lab manual (available at the bookstore next week).

• All other readings will be posted on Quercus.

Lab Information

• Lab enrollment details:

  • Sections ending in 1: Week 1 lab starts January 20.

  • Sections ending in 2: Week 2 lab starts January 27.

• Enrollment deadline: January 9 on Acorn. After that, contact bio220@utoronto.ca for changes.

• Lab location: First Floor of Ramsey Wright, 25 Harvard Street.

• Requirements for labs:

  • Lab manual and lab coat mandatory.

  • Laptop or device for Lab 5 (R programming).

Course Support

• Questions regarding course content: address to professors during optional Thursday tutorials (12-1 PM, Sanford Fleming Room 1101).

• Administrative queries: email Veronica or Flora at bio220@utoronto.ca.

• Drop-in office hours will be posted on Quercus.

Student Experience

• Emphasis on the team’s educational background at U of T and commitment to student support.

• Encouragement to reach out for help and to have a positive experience in the course.

Introduction to Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics by Professor Stinchcomb

• Focus: Apply genetic principles to understand ecology and evolution.

• Investigative questions:

  • Understanding behaviors of animals like elephants and wolves.

  • Exploring differences and evolutionary forces shaping them.

Key Concepts

• Ecological Genetics:

  • Ecology influences natural selection, which affects species’ behaviors and their environments.

  • Genetics ensures that traits are passed through generations.

  • Integration of genetic principles with ecological and behavioral studies.

Lecture Content Structure

• First Six Lectures:

  • Modern topics in ecological and evolutionary genetics.

  • Natural selection's effect on genetic variation.

  • Applications to real-world problems (agriculture, conservation).

Genomic Structure

• Genomes are mosaics with diverse inheritance modes (mitochondria, chloroplasts, sex chromosomes, autosomes).

• Inheritance Modes:

  • Uniparental (observation of maternal/paternal lineage).

  • Biparental (contribution from both parents).

  • Genetic recombination affects evolutionary outcomes.

Case Studies

Elephants and Inbreeding Avoidance

• Male elephants leave maternal groups; female elephants remain.

• Inbreeding defined as mating with close relatives.

• Hypotheses:

  • Male elephants evolve behaviors to avoid inbreeding due to severe inbreeding depression.

  • Alternative: Male success varies; avoiding mating with relatives may reduce potential reproductive success.

Methods of Study

• Observation Techniques:

  • Genetic sampling through non-invasive methods (e.g., DNA from dung).

  • Paternity analysis similar to methods used in other fields (e.g., forensic science).

Data Findings

• Observations indicated that male elephants direct behavior away from relatives.

• Suggests strong inbreeding avoidance behavior, indicating high inbreeding depression.

Coyotes and Genetic Differentiation

• Focus: How human and natural barriers affect genetic variations.

• Study conducted in Seattle using similar genetic sampling methods.

• Found genetic differences in populations due to barriers restricting gene flow.

Gene Flow Concepts

• Gene Flow:

  • Erodes differences between populations; restricted flow leads to accumulated differences.

• FST measure: Ranges from zero (panmixia) to one (complete genetic differentiation).

Human Populations and Dispersal Patterns

• Examines how cultural trends and patterns of migration influence genetics.

• Comparing patrilocal (males move) and matrilocal (females move) societies.

• Results suggest significant differences in mitochondrial and Y chromosome genetic diversity based on social structure.

Conclusion

• Application of genetics aids in understanding fitness and mating dynamics in real populations.

• Addressing cultural effects on genetic patterns within populations holds potential for future research.

Course Overview for BIO 220

Introduction by Laura Hesslin Piper, Course and Lab Coordinator.

Key personnel involved:

• Professors:

  • John Stinchcomb (Lectures 1-12)

  • Nicole Medeiro (Lectures 13-24)

• Lecture TA: Chris Carlson

• Course Administrators: Veronica Chong, Flora Wang

• Importance of a team to run the course effectively.

Course Resources

• Course website: Available on Corteos at q.utoronto.ca.

• Required textbook: Bio 220 lab manual (available at the bookstore next week).

• All other readings will be posted on Quercus.

Lab Information

Lab enrollment details:

• Sections ending in 1: Week 1 lab starts January 20.

• Sections ending in 2: Week 2 lab starts January 27.

• Enrollment deadline: January 9 on Acorn. After that, contact bio220@utoronto.ca for changes.

• Lab location: First Floor of Ramsey Wright, 25 Harvard Street.

Requirements for labs:

• Lab manual and lab coat mandatory.

• Laptop or device for Lab 5 (R programming).

Course Support

• Questions regarding course content: address to professors during optional Thursday tutorials (12-1 PM, Sanford Fleming Room 1101).

• Administrative queries: email Veronica or Flora at bio220@utoronto.ca.

• Drop-in office hours will be posted on Quercus.

Student Experience

• Emphasis on the team’s educational background at U of T and commitment to student support.

• Encouragement to reach out for help and to have a positive experience in the course.

Introduction to Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics by Professor Stinchcomb

Focus: Apply genetic principles to understand ecology and evolution.

Investigative questions:

• Understanding behaviors of animals like elephants and wolves.

• Exploring differences and evolutionary forces shaping them.

Key Concepts

Ecological Genetics:

• Ecology influences natural selection, which affects species’ behaviors and their environments.

• Genetics ensures that traits are passed through generations.

• Integration of genetic principles with ecological and behavioral studies.

Lecture Content Structure

First Six Lectures:

• Modern topics in ecological and evolutionary genetics.

• Natural selection's effect on genetic variation.

• Applications to real-world problems (agriculture, conservation).

Genomic Structure

• Genomes are mosaics with diverse inheritance modes (mitochondria, chloroplasts, sex chromosomes, autosomes).

Inheritance Modes:

• Uniparental (observation of maternal/paternal lineage).

• Biparental (contribution from both parents).

• Genetic recombination affects evolutionary outcomes.

Case Studies

Elephants and Inbreeding Avoidance

• Male elephants leave maternal groups; female elephants remain.

• Inbreeding defined as mating with close relatives.

Hypotheses:

• Male elephants evolve behaviors to avoid inbreeding due to severe inbreeding depression.

• Alternative: Male success varies; avoiding mating with relatives may reduce potential reproductive success.

Methods of Study

Observation Techniques:

• Genetic sampling through non-invasive methods (e.g., DNA from dung).

• Paternity analysis similar to methods used in other fields (e.g., forensic science).

Data Findings

• Observations indicated that male elephants direct behavior away from relatives.

• Suggests strong inbreeding avoidance behavior, indicating high inbreeding depression.

Coyotes and Genetic Differentiation

• Focus: How human and natural barriers affect genetic variations.

• Study conducted in Seattle using similar genetic sampling methods.

• Found genetic differences in populations due to barriers restricting gene flow.

Gene Flow Concepts

Gene Flow:

• Erodes differences between populations; restricted flow leads to accumulated differences.

• FST measure: Ranges from zero (panmixia) to one (complete genetic differentiation).

Human Populations and Dispersal Patterns

• Examines how cultural trends and patterns of migration influence genetics.

• Comparing patrilocal (males move) and matrilocal (females move) societies.

• Results suggest significant differences in mitochondrial and Y chromosome genetic diversity based on social structure.

Conclusion

• Application of genetics aids in understanding fitness and mating dynamics in real populations.

• Addressing cultural effects on genetic patterns within populations holds potential for future research.

Course Overview for BIO 220

IntroductionThe Bio 220 course is coordinated by Laura Hesslin Piper, who serves as the Course and Lab Coordinator. This course features a dedicated team comprising Professors John Stinchcomb and Nicole Medeiro, responsible for Lectures 1-12 and Lectures 13-24 respectively, and Lecture TA Chris Carlson, who assists in enhancing the learning experience. Additionally, Course Administrators Veronica Chong and Flora Wang contribute crucial support to ensure the effective management of course operations and student inquiries.

Course Resources

Students can access a comprehensive set of course materials via the website hosted on Corteos (q.utoronto.ca). The required textbook for the course, the Bio 220 lab manual, which is essential for successfully navigating the lab components, will be made available in the bookstore starting next week. Furthermore, all supplementary readings relevant for the course will be posted on Quercus, enabling students to stay engaged with the course content.

Lab Information

Lab enrollment is critical to student success and varies depending on the section number: sections ending in '1' will commence the Week 1 lab starting January 20, while those ending in '2' will begin their Week 2 lab on January 27. The enrollment deadline is set for January 9 on Acorn; any changes required post-deadline must be communicated through the dedicated email address, bio220@utoronto.ca.

The labs will be held in the First Floor of Ramsey Wright, located at 25 Harvard Street—a space equipped to facilitate hands-on learning experiences. It is important to note that students are required to bring their lab manual and a lab coat for the laboratory sessions, as safety and preparedness are paramount. Additionally, for Lab 5, which involves R programming, a laptop or device is mandatory, emphasizing the integration of technology into the curriculum.

Course Support

Students with questions regarding course content are encouraged to seek assistance during the optional Thursday tutorials, which take place from 12-1 PM in Sanford Fleming Room 1101. This is an excellent opportunity to clarify doubts and engage directly with professors. For administrative queries related to course logistics, students should reach out via email to Veronica or Flora at bio220@utoronto.ca. To further support student engagement, drop-in office hours will be posted on Quercus, allowing for additional opportunities to seek one-on-one assistance.

Student Experience

The course emphasizes the team's strong educational background at the University of Toronto and their unwavering commitment to student support. Students are encouraged to proactively seek help and utilize the resources available to cultivate a positive educational experience throughout the course.

Introduction to Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics by Professor Stinchcomb

This segment of the course focuses on the application of genetic principles to better understand the intricate relationships between ecology and evolution. It specifically aims to explore key behavioral patterns exhibited by animals, such as elephants and wolves, and seeks to unpack the evolutionary dynamics and forces that contribute to these observed behaviors.

Key Concepts

Ecological genetics examines the profound ways in which ecological factors influence natural selection, which impacts species behaviors and their adaptation to environments. Within this framework, genetics plays a critical role in ensuring the transmission of traits across generations, reflecting the seamless integration of genetic principles with ecological studies and behavioral analyses. This integration is essential for appreciating the complexity of interactions in natural systems.

Lecture Content Structure

The initial six lectures will delve into modern topics within the realm of ecological and evolutionary genetics. These sessions will discuss the effects of natural selection on genetic variation and explore real-world applications related to agriculture and conservation. Students can expect to engage with cutting-edge research and contemporary issues facing the field today.

Genomic Structure

A core theme of the course involves understanding genomic structure, characterized as mosaics with diverse inheritance modes—mitochondria, chloroplasts, sex chromosomes, and autosomes. These inheritance modes include uniparental inheritance (which tracks maternal or paternal lineage) and biparental inheritance (encompassing contributions from both parents). This exploration emphasizes how genetic recombination can significantly influence evolutionary outcomes, leading to variations in genetic diversity and adaptability.

Case Studies

Elephants and Inbreeding Avoidance

A key case study focuses on the social structure and reproductive behaviors of elephants. Male elephants typically leave maternal groups, while female elephants tend to remain. Inbreeding is defined in the context of this study as mating between close relatives. This research explores two primary hypotheses: first, that male elephants may evolve behaviors that help avoid inbreeding due to the detrimental effects of severe inbreeding depression; and second, that variations in male reproductive success could arise from strategies employed to avoid mating with relatives for greater genetic diversity.

Methods of Study

To investigate these behavioral patterns, observation techniques are employed that include genetic sampling through non-invasive methods, such as collecting DNA from dung. Paternity analysis is performed using techniques similar to those used in forensic science, providing insights into family structures and mating behaviors. Initial findings indicate that male elephants exhibit behaviors that tend to direct them away from relatives, suggesting a strong evolutionary pressure to avoid inbreeding due to potential high inbreeding depression.

Coyotes and Genetic Differentiation

In another case study, the course investigates how human actions and natural barriers influence genetic variation, with a focused study conducted in Seattle. Utilizing similar genetic sampling methodologies, researchers found significant genetic differences among coyote populations attributed to barriers restricting gene flow, highlighting the impact of environment on genetic diversity.

Gene Flow Concepts

Gene flow serves as a vital process, acting to erode differences between populations. This course will delve into the implications of restricted gene flow, which can lead to the accumulation of genetic differences over time. Students will learn about the FST measure, which ranges from zero (indicating panmixia, or random mating within a population) to one (indicating complete genetic differentiation), providing a clear framework for understanding population genetics.

Human Populations and Dispersal Patterns

The course will also examine cultural trends and migration patterns that shape genetic diversity in human populations. By comparing patrilocal (where males move after marriage) and matrilocal (where females move) societies, significant differences in mitochondrial and Y chromosome genetic diversity will be explored, illustrating how social structures can impact genetic inheritance.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the application of genetic principles in this course aims to enhance students' understanding of fitness, mating dynamics, and population structures in real-world scenarios. By addressing the cultural impacts on genetic patterns within populations, this course holds the potential to spark exciting avenues for future research in ecological and evolutionary genetics. This multifaceted approach encourages students to engage deeply with the material while fostering critical thinking skills necessary for their academic and professional pursuits in the field.